Panama has announced it will reopen its borders to international travelers in October including from the United States.
Panama is Reopening to All!
Travelers can now start making plans to visit Panama as the country will reopen its borders to all international travelers on October 12, 2020. Relevant authorities in the country have been working together to make sure travelers can safely visit with new health measures in place.
The Panama Tourism Authority has worked closely with The Ministry of Health, alongside other government authorities are implementing new ways to make sure not just travelers but also its citizens don’t get infected with the virus.
Minister Eskildsen, said:
“After closing our borders to travelers in late March, we are excited to safely welcome visitors back to Panama.”
“The new health and safety protocols reflect our continuous hard work and dedication in protecting both Panamanians and our visitors, and through our efforts, have earned the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Safe Travels stamp of approval. Our beautiful country, rich in nature, biodiversity and cultural heritage is once again ready to be discovered.”
The safety protocols when traveling to Panama begins before even departing from any country. Travellers must present a negative COVID-19 PCR or antigen test upon arrival. The tests must also be taken no longer than 48 hours prioir to arrival into Panama.
For those who took their tests more than 48 hours before arrival a rapid test will have to be done at the airport before going through customs, this will cost $30. Visitors must comply with any health measures in place by Panama and an electronic affidavit must be completed before any flight.
Also Read: How to Social Distance Effectively on a Cruise?
There will also be the usual COVID-19 procedures such as wearing face masks, temperature screenings, social distancing of at least two meters, and more. if any visitor tests positive the Panamanian government will facilitate a hotel stay at no cost to the traveler for a mandatory quarantine period of seven days at which time another test will be administered.
It is good to know that Panama has earned the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Safe Travels stamp of approval that was launched in early September. It’s a first-ever ever global safety and hygiene stamp based on guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Also supported by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the initiative focuses on the enhanced safety efforts needed to re-establish traveler confidence worldwide.
At the moment there are no cruise ships sailing to Panama as there is a voluntary suspension on operations by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) through October and a CDC No-Sail Order in place through September 30, 2020. Once cruises do resume Panama will be able to welcome ships as its borders will be open.
Photo Credit: Tetyana Dotsenko / Shutterstock.com
