New restrictions were announced Wednesday afternoon just in time for Christmas. Luckily the new restrictions do not take place until December 31st, so enjoy the sunsets on the beach while you can.
The information was released at a press conference by the President of the Republic, Carlos Alvarado, together with the Ministers of Health, Daniel Salas; Public Safety, Michael Soto, and the president of the National Emergency Commission (CNE), Alexander Solís and the president of the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS), Román Macaya.
- Measures will apply to the entire country equally.
- Thursday December 31st. Vehicles may not circulate after 7:00 pm, except for exceptions.
- On Friday 1st; Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 January: The sanitary vehicle restriction will be from 8:00 pm to 5:00 am
- During the first two weeks of January (from Monday 4 to Sunday 17 January) there will be a reduction in the capacity of bars and casinos to 25%, the national parks will be able to operate with a capacity of 50%, and the beaches are only enabled from 5:00 am to 2:30 pm.
- As of January 9 and during the remaining weekends of the month, even plates may circulate on Saturdays and odd plates on Sunday.
In the framework of the end and beginning of the year and in view of the national emergency situation facing the country due to the pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2, the Government of the Republic detailed the schedule of health measures that will govern the entire country alike.
On Thursday 31 December . Vehicles may not circulate after 7:00 pm, except for exceptions. (See attached image). During the day, only authorized plates (all except 7 and 8) may circulate. Likewise, establishments with a public health permit will be closed from 7:00 pm to 5:00 am The list of exceptions will be maintained (supermarkets, medical centers, home delivery, hotels, among others ).
On Friday 1st; Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 January : Vehicles may not circulate after 8:00 pm, with exceptions. (See attached image). During the day, only authorized plates may circulate (all except 9 and 0 on Friday). Likewise, establishments with a public health permit will be closed from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. The list of exceptions will be maintained (supermarkets, medical centers, home delivery, hotels, among others ). The list of exceptions is attached.
January measures: From January 04 to 17
During the first two weeks of January (from Monday 4 to Sunday 17 January) there will be a reduction in the capacity of bars and casinos to 25%, the national parks will be able to operate with a capacity of 50%, and the beaches are only enabled from 5:00 am to 2:30 pm.
Since January 4 and throughout the month, the vehicle restriction schedule is maintained; as it has been working during the month of December: Monday to Friday until 10:00 pm and Saturdays and Sundays until 9:00 pm
As of January 9 and during the remaining weekends of the month only even plates may circulate on Saturdays and odd plates on Sunday.
The reason given for the new restrictions:
The epidemiological characteristics of the disease require that the health system, the institutions and the entire population take radical measures to prevent the rapid transmission of cases and avoid overloading the health services in the coming weeks, and that this leads to an increase in mortality from the disease in Costa Rica.
At least these radical measures can wait another week. It is apparent that the government is trying their best to prevent the annual exodus of San Jose to the beaches for New Years celebrations.
If you are still confused about when you can drive and when you can't, here is a link where you can enter the last number of your licence plate and get a list of dates.
https://sites.google.com/presidencia.go.cr/alertas/restricci%C3%B3n-vehicular
