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25 March 2020

Panama establishes immigration control measures to mitigate spread of COVID-19

In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, Panama has issued Executive Decree 217 of 2020 (the Decree), temporarily regulating the arrival and departure movements of nationals and foreigners in the country.

Under the Decree, beginning 17 March 2020, only Panamanian nationals and foreigners with a temporary, permanent, or pending migratory process in the country may enter the national territory.

The Decree establishes that individuals entering the Panamanian territory must comply with the health authorities’ measures by remaining in home quarantine for 14 calendar days under the observation and surveillance of these authorities, as well as following any other required measures. Individuals entering Panama only to use the international transit area of the Tocumen International Airport are exempt from these requirements.

Additionally, the decree establishes that companies conducting international air, sea or land transportation must comply with the provisions established by the health authorities when their crews enter the country. However, the crew members only have to be in home quarantine until they leave the Panamanian territory, as long as they are previously authorized by the competent authority to have a shorter home quarantine.

For additional information with respect to this Alert, please contact the following:

Ernst & Young Limited Corp., Panama City
Ernst & Young LLP (United States), Latin American Business Center, New York
Ernst & Young LLP (United Kingdom), Latin American Business Center, London
Ernst & Young Tax Co., Latin American Business Center, Japan & Asia Pacific

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Document ID: 2020-5458

 
 

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