https://www.laestrella.com.pa/economia/200430/panama-afina-plan-reapertura-economica

The Panamanian government refines plans for the gradual reopening of the country. The president, Laurentino Cortizo, said he has been working on the plan for the new normal and hopes that by tomorrow it will be “quite well tuned.”

Cortizo said he hopes that the plan for the new normal can begin to be implemented in May. The commercial and economic reopening will depend on whether the RT (contagion per person) is below 1 or below 1.

The President explained that it is necessary to have the sanitary protocols ready for the reopening of different sectors of the Panamanian economy.

The health protocols are being worked with the Ministry of Economy and Finance, with the Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Health and unions. Cortizo highlighted the support of the Incae with whom he will have a videoconference tomorrow to prepare the health protocols of the sectors related to commerce and industry.

“This week is extremely important because we must have around five or six protocols ready for the different sectors and economic activities,” he added.

He stressed that the country must be prepared with all the sanitary protocols to avoid a new outbreak of the virus. “We have to be prepared in the regions, in inhospitable territories for any circumstances because there are already positive cases,” said the president.

Panama has been one of the most affected countries in the Central American region with more than 6,000 infections and 179 victims. More than 90 thousand have been suspended from their daily work and the closure of shops and industries.