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Published Tuesday, March 24, 2020 

By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

On Monday, new preventive measures were announced to halt the spread of the coronavirus covid-19 in the country.

One of the orders issued by the government has the goal of preventing people infected with the virus from entering the country.

The new order issued by President Carlos Alvarado affects foreigners residing in Costa Rica, who are asked not to leave the country as of today. Those that leave could result in a loss of resident status.

The government is expected to announce the decree of this new order on Tuesday, the period in which this emergency measure will be established.

This presidential order does not affect tourists or Costa Ricans, who can leave the country. As for tourists, since last week it was announced that they will not be able to enter the country during this emergency period. Regarding Costa Ricans, at the moment they enter they will be ordered to self-quarantine in their homes for two weeks.

Other preventive measures included in the order are:

- Closed access to beaches.

- Massive religious events, both outdoors or inside temples, are prohibited.

- An overnight driving restriction, from 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. the next day.

"We are at a peak time to reduce the impact of contagion in the country," said President Alvarado. "We continue by the instructions of the health authorities, be responsible as citizens, help those who need it most and do not endanger the most vulnerable people.”

On Monday authorities from the Ministry of Health confirmed 158 cases of people infected with the coronavirus covid-19.

Of these, nine patients are being treated in public hospitals. However, three of them have been reported in very delicate health conditions and are kept in intensive care.

The 158 patient’s ages range from 2 to 87. Of these, 135 people between 14 and 70 years old, 16 patients are over 70 years old and 7 children under 13 years old.

Of these 158 cases, there are 68 women and 90 men. It is reported that of those infected 141 are Costa Ricans and 17 are foreigners.

The virus has spread throughout the country. Patient cases have been registered in 30 cantons spread among all the provinces.

Since the virus was detected in the country, in the first week of March, 1,533 people have been ruled out.

Two patients, both U.S. citizens have managed to overcome the disease and it is reported that they left the country.

Two patients, both 87-year-old seniors, died last week.



As of Monday, the coronavirus pandemic has killed 16,358 people around the world, according to recent statistics reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC.