National Government authorizes re-opening of cinemas, museums, theatres, art galleries and libraries

The national government authorized from October 12, by means of an Executive Decree, the economic reactivation of cinemas, museums, galleries, theatres, libraries, music and dance academies as well as tourist sites with closed structures at 50% of their capacity.

The National Government felt that it was useful to re-open a number of commercial entertainment and culture activities at national level as part of its strategy entitled "Roadto new normality" and considering biosecurity indicators, the actual reproduction of cases and the capacity of beds available at national level.

In this respect, Minister of Culture Carlos Aguilar Navarro commented that the decision of the government team is based on scientific data and consensual criteria about the possibilities of reactivation, both from creative and cultural industries and from high concurrence activities at entertainment sites, so that Panamanian and Panamanian people can enjoy all the activities of the national cultural agenda, keeping health and biosecurity measures in the fight against covid.19

"Teamwork has been very important through the authorities of the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Trade and Industries, the Ministry of Culture and governmental and civil society organisations that have exchanged important information to make proper decisions based on scientific evidence and economic indicators," adds Aguilar Navarro.

The activities referred to shall conduct operations every day with the exception of curfew and quarantine times established by the Ministry of Health and shall comply with the guidelines for a return to normality established by the health guides for after-care operations, protocols and measures to be established.