Published Thursday, April 2, 2020 

By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

The government announced an increase in the hours for the ban on driving and quarantine due to a rise in 375 cases of patients infected with the coronavirus covid-19 on Wednesday.

The precautionary measures imposed by the government are divided into two periods. The first between April 3 to 7, and the second period with stricter restrictions from April 8 to 12.

From Friday, April 3 to Tuesday, April 7, the ban on night driving will be in place from 5 p.m. until 5 a.m.

An additional ban will take place during the day from 5 a.m. until 5 p.m. and will apply to the last number of the license plate, as follows:

On Saturdays and Mondays, the ban on day driving applies to vehicles whose license plate ends in 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8.

On Sundays and Tuesdays, the ban on day driving applies to vehicles whose license plate ends in 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9.

Also, the schedule for long distances using public transportation over 75 kilometers will be reduced.

Only the legal taxi service, called red-cab and home delivery will have no restrictions.

The second period between Wednesday, April 8 and Sunday, April 12 only supermarkets, so-called pulperías (small neighborhoods grocery stores), clinics, hospitals and pharmacies will continue to be open to the public.

During this second period people may move around in the so-called red cab. All public transportation will be banned. However, places that provide food delivery, red taxi, police, emergency services, public services of electricity, telecommunications and water.

For those driving your own vehicle, it should only be during the day, from 5 a.m. at 5 p.m., restrictions apply. The driving guidelines are as follows:

If your license plate ends in 0 or 1, you can drive on Wednesday.

On Thursday, vehicles whose license plate ends in 2 or 3 are not banned.

On Friday, vehicles whose license plate ends in 4 or 5 are not banned.

On Saturday, vehicles whose license plate ends in 6 or 7 are not banned.

And on Sunday, vehicles whose license plate ends on 8 or 9 are not banned.

According to the government, these emergency measures have the goal of preventing people from traveling during Easter, in hopes of reducing the chance that people will become infected with covid-19.

The infraction for those who break the new ban on driving rules, except for those on the exception list, is $40. This fine will be registered under the license plate number in the database of the Road Safety Council, COSEVI. The fine can be paid at any local bank.

Due to the increase of fines for driving at night, authorities of the ministry ordered the closure of all public places such as restaurants, gas stations, cinemas, shopping malls, among others.


The deputies of the Legislative Assembly announced the approval on the first round of votes of the fines from $40 to $187. It is expected during this week, the second round of votes and final approval of the fine increase.

The following is a list of exceptions to the night driving ban rule:

- Transport trucks with commercial goods.

- People must use public transport vehicles such as taxis or buses in the case of an emergency as going to the clinic, hospital or even the airport.

- All private transport like Uber is banned.

- People who must drive to their jobs at night. It is imperative to carry a letter from the company stating the place and hours of work.

- Trucks that transport fuel to the gas stations.

- Garbage collection trucks.

- Police, ambulance or firefighter vehicles.

- Workers of public services such as water, electricity, telephone, internet.

- Funeral service vehicles.

- Home delivery services such as food, pharmacy or veterinary emergencies.

- Private security vehicles.

- Vehicles of international organizations that aid in the care of the national state of emergency.

- Workers of medical services organizations such as hospitals, clinics or nursing homes.

It is expected on Monday, April 13, the government will announce the new emergency measures.

AM Costa Rica staff call on the readers to stay indoors to avoid being exposed to covid-19.