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Published Wednesday, October 21, 2020
Six cantons under Orange Alert
due to spike of covid-19 cases
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
The National Emergency Commission announced on Tuesday more changes in the areas declared in Orange Alert due to an increase in patients infected with covid-19.
According to the commission, the new cantons in Orange Alert are:
• Desamparados in San José Province
• La Unión in Cartago Province
• Santa Bárbara, Belén and San Pablo in Heredia Province
• La Cruz in Guanacaste Province
The updated list of cantons under Orange Alert can be read on the government's website under Covid-19/Alerta/Canton.
Ban on driving. Last week the government cancelled the weekend ban on driving based on vehicle plate number, as part of the actions to recover the economy. But, the restriction hours continue to be enforced.
Regardless of the plate number, all vehicles will be able to travel on Saturdays and Sundays, from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. nationwide.
On weekdays, the ban on driving rules in the country continues from Monday through Friday, where driving is allowed from 5 a.m. until 10 p.m.
The vehicles banned are based on the last number of the vehicle plate number, as follows:
• Monday: plates banned end in 1 or 2.
• Tuesday: plates banned end in 3 or 4.
• Wednesday: plates banned end in 5 or 6.
• Thursday: plates banned end in 7 or 8.
• Friday: plates banned end in 9 or 0.
On Monday, the deputies in Congress approved in the second round of voting, the bill No. 22.134, which reduces the fines for breaking the ban-on-driving rule which was imposed by the government to try to reduce the spread of covid-19.
The approved bill prohibits traffic officials from seizing vehicle plates or even vehicles. In addition to no longer reducing penalty points on the driving license of the driver.
According to Congress, the deputies unanimously agreed to reduce the fine for breaking the ban-on-driving rule to approximately $180.
According to the Road Safety Council, Cosevi, since the ban-on-driving rule was declared from April until September 11, the total amount of fines collected reached approximately $1,811,922.
As the new law states, the money collected from the fines for breaking the ban-on-driving rule will be transferred to the National Emergency Fund to be used during the pandemic.
Readers can verify the updated ban on driving by visiting the government website Covid-19/Alerta/Vehicular.
Regarding the alerts for the Orange and Yellow zones, these rules continue as the National Emergency Commission announced on Tuesday. The updated list of cantons under Orange Alert can be read on the government's website under Covid-19/Alerta/Canton.
The Ministry of Health recommends for managers or business representatives with inquiries about the ban on driving during the weekday, business restrictions and guidelines to directly call them at (506) 2223-0333.
According to authorities more changes on the rules and restrictions plan related to Orange or Yellow alert zones can be established depending on the development of the covid-19 infection in the next two weeks.
A.M. Costa Rica urges readers to share this alert with their contacts.
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Is the driving rule reducing the covid-19 contagion in the country? We would like to know your
thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com
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