Costa Rica will allow beaches and some national parks to reopen under strict sanitary guidelines, President Carlos Alvarado and Health Minister Daniel Salas announced Monday afternoon.
The news is among several changes that will take effect starting Saturday, May 16, in an effort to reactivate the country’s economy while managing the spread of the coronavirus.
Costa Rica has reported nearly a month of declining active coronavirus cases. Authorities will gradually adjust restrictions every two weeks based on the epidemiological curve, the Health Ministry said.
Opening beaches and protected wildlife areas — which have been closed since mid-March — will help Costa Rica promote domestic tourism, part of a plan to support an industry that has been paralyzed by the pandemic.
But some of the country’s most impactful restrictions, including the suspension of mass gatherings and a ban on arriving tourists, will continue.
Here is a list of changes announced Monday. These take effect May 16:
Beaches can open from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. during the week.
The following national parks can open at 50% capacity: Irazú Volcano, Poás Volcano, Guayabo, Braulio Carrillo, Carara, Corcovado, Manuel Antonio, Cahuita, Arenal, Rincón de la Vieja, Los Quetzales and Tapantí. Monteverde, a private reserve, can also open. Tickets must be pre-purchased. (More parks will open June 1.)
Non-contact sports are fully permitted, as are contact sports without spectators.
Hotels of maximum 20 rooms can open at 50% capacity.
During the week, the vehicular restrictions have been reduced. They will now begin at 10 p.m. through 5 a.m. the following morning.
During the week, establishments with sanitary permits (e.g. restaurants, shops, shopping centers, theaters and cinemas) can remain open until 10 p.m.
In June, Costa Rica plans to further relax measures for restaurants, hotels and museums, if the epidemiological curve permits.
Costa Rica will keep the following activities closed indefinitely:
Mass gathering events and public spectacles
Event halls
Casinos
Community fairs
Amusement parks and similar events
Dance clubs
The current border restrictions will remain active until at least June 15. Under the current timeline, beaches won’t fully reopen until July 13.
Source: The Tico Times.
