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  The business
reopening restrictions depends on the period of
the Closing Phase and the Opening Phase.
/ Ministry of Security and AM Costa Rica wire services photo. |
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Published Thursday, July 30, 2020 More regulations in August due
to
pandemic, government announces By the A.M. Costa Rica staff The Costa Rican government announced a series of additional regulations following the increase of people infected with covid-19 throughout the country. According to the government, in addition to the restrictions already in place with Yellow Alert and Orange Alert zones, there are two phases put into place starting different dates in August. The new phases: Closing Phase and the Opening Phase. The Closing Phase will apply from Monday, Aug. 10 to Friday, Aug. 21. And for the rest of the month, the Opening Phase will apply, with the exception of August 31, which is not included in the new measures announced by the government. During the days of the Closing Phase, the complete total closure of all public businesses and institutions is ordered in the cantons that have been classified as Orange Alert zones. For those that are in Yellow Alert, businesses and public institutions may operate as long as the covid-19 business hours and the ban on the driving schedule are respected. During the days of the Opening Phase, all public institutions and private businesses may continue their operations, following the established schedule related to the Yellow Alert or Orange Alert zone and the ban on driving regulation.  The updated list of cantons and districts in Orange Alert are: • In San José Province: Alajuelita, Aserrí, Curridabat, Desamparados, Escazú, Goicoechea, Montes de Oca, Mora, Moravia, San José, Santa Ana, Tibás and Vázquez de Coronado • In Alajuela Province: Alajuela downtown, Naranjo and Poás • In Cartago Province: La Unión • In Heredia Province: Barva, Flores, Heredia downtown, San Isidro, San Pablo, San Rafael and Santo Domingo. • In Puntarenas Province: Corredores, the districts Agua Buena and Sabalito in Coto Brus, the Pavón Distric in Golfito, the districs of Barranca and Chacarita. Orange Alert order allows, in the case of business activities, to continue their operations from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. They must comply with the guidelines of the Ministry of Health, such as maintaining a distance of 1.8 meters between employees, allowing only 50 % of the maximum number of people on the site, among others. Home delivery services can continue to work without restrictions throughout the country. Public bus services will be able to operate regularly, seating only. Not allowing people to stand. The Ministry of Health ordered the mandatory use of masks at bus stops. Red taxis are allowed to continue providing services with no restrictions. In addition, the special transport service for workers or tourism may continue. The business reopening restrictions depends on the period of the Closing Phase and the Opening Phase. The full list ( in Spanish) of businesses allowed to reopen during Closing Phase can be found at the following link Covid Alert for Business during Closing Phase on Orange Zones site. Also, the full list ( in Spanish) of businesses allowed to reopen during Opening Phase can be found at the Covid Alert for Business during Opening Phase on Orange Zones site. The ban on driving for Orange Alert zones remains from Monday to Sunday, from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. No vehicle is to circulate after 5 p.m. every day of the week. During the Opening Phase, vehicles are not allowed to be on the road if the last number of its plates end in the following numbers: • On Monday plates ending in 1 or 2. • On Tuesday plates ending in 3 or 4. • On Wednesday plates end at 5 or 6. • On Thursday plates ending at 7 or 8. • On Friday plates ending in 9 or 0. • On Saturday, plate numbers ending in 0, 2, 4, 6 or 8 are banned. • On Sunday, plates ending in numbers 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9 are banned. During the Closing Phase, from Aug. 10 to Aug. 21, the ban on driving is almost the opposite. The regulations change during this period. Vehicles ALLOWED to be on the road are: • On Monday plates ending in 1 or 2. • On Tuesday plates ending in 3 or 4. • On Wednesday plates end at 5 or 6. • On Thursday plates ending at 7 or 8. • On Friday plates ending in 9 or 0. • On Saturday, plate numbers ending in 0, 2, 4, 6 or 8 are allowed on the road. • On Sunday, plates ending in numbers 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9 are allowed on the road. The vast majority of businesses will not be able to operate during from Aug. 1- 30. The only businesses allowed to open to the public are those offering essential activities. The so-called "essential activities" were established by the Ministry of Health. Those deemed essential activities and will continue operating are: agriculture, fishing, food industry, sale of medical devices and corresponding parts, production of chemical substances and pharmaceutical products, information, communication technology services and banks or financial services. Companies providing supply chains of materials, and companies that provide services and equipment for the previously mentioned activities are authorized to stay open. Essential businesses also include supermarkets, suppliers, grocery stores, mini-supermarkets and so-called pulperias. Bakeries, butchers, greengrocers, pharmacies, medical centers, banks and funeral homes are also considered an essential business. The companies that provide agricultural, veterinary and hygiene supplies, are allowed to remain open for the public. And any vehicle-related business continues open, such as Obligatory Vehicle Revision Services, known as Riteve RTV, repair of automobiles, equipment and machinery, lubricants and sale of spare parts, among others. So-called farmer's fairs, or fairs of the farmer vegetable markets, are allowed to open from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. These must apply a special schedule for older adults from 5 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. The rest of the country will remain on Yellow Alert. The restrictions on businesses and driving ban schedules can be found in the following article's link “More restrictions on August for Yellow Alert zones”. ------------------------ Do you think the new measures create confusion on the population? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com |
