In the islands of Bocas del Toro, as of December 28, 2020, there are currently 12 active COVID-19 cases, a decrease of 2 cases from the last report on December 20. There have been 9 COVID-19 deaths in the community since March. There have been 3,957 accumulated cases in the entire province of Bocas del Toro.

Nationwide in Panama, as of December 28, there are currently 42,261 active COVID-19 cases. There have been 187,552 recoveries, 3,892 deaths and a reported total of 233,705 accumulated cases. Of the active cases 2,348 are new; 39,404 are isolated at home and 730 in hotels. There are 1,945 patients hospitalized in the ward and 182 in ICU.

Tocumen International Airport in Panama City is receiving international flights. Anyone entering the country will not require a mandatory isolation as long as they can provide a certified negative COVID-19 test within 48 hours of their arrival, or as long as they test negative upon landing at the Tocumen International Airport. More details on COVID-19 Travel Restrictions and protocol can be found in this article.

The curfew is now 7pm – 5am nationwide, effective as of December 18, 2020. Delivery services are available until 10pm, but no liquor may be sold after 7pm. There will be nationwide quarantine days on January 1, 2, 3, 9 and 10. More information on quarantine rules and travel restrictions can be found here.

REMEMBER: Please follow the guidelines of the Ministry of Health: stay home if you don’t need to go out, keep two meters of distance while in public, wear a face mask while you are around others (especially indoors and poorly ventilated areas), avoid touching your face, wash your hands frequently, disinfect what you take home and what you use in public.

***Above all, practice habits for a strong immune system. Eat a healthy, balanced and nutritious diet. Get proper sleep. Exercise regularly. Spend time in the sun and get fresh air. Fear and stress are also considered to lower your immune system defenses, so be aware of the virus but please do not live in fear. The strength and resilience of the community shall overcome the virus.***

Carenero Island, December 2020. Image courtesy of Joaquin Parada. Submit your Bocas del Toro photography by tagging us on Instagram @thebocasbreeze #thebocasbreeze.