The Government of Panama established that only unvaccinated tourists or those who do not have at least two doses of the covid-19 vaccine must present a negative PCR or antigen test to enter the Central American country.
This is stated in its article by executive decree number 17 of this February 16, 2022, which “adjusts the measures for the entry of travelers” into Panamanian territory due to the
covid-19 pandemic.
The first article of the decree states that every traveler who enters Panama by air, sea or land “must have the complete schedule or at least two doses of the” anticovid”
vaccine, “according to the national vaccination program approved by your country of origin or provenance.”
In Panama, three doses of the
vaccine are considered a complete schedule for those over 16 years of age, a provision that will come into force on February 20, as announced last January by the Ministry of Health.
Travelers vaccinated with at least two doses must digitally record proof of their vaccination prior to travel, or physically present the vaccination card at the port of entry to the country, said the executive decree signed by Panamanian President Laurentino Cortizo, and the Minister in charge of Health, Ivette Berrío.
While any traveler who is not vaccinated or who does not have at least two doses of the
covid-19
vaccine must present a negative PCR or antigen test that is valid for up to 72 hours, or perform it at their own cost at the port of departure. entering the country, indicated the decree, published this Wednesday in the official gazette.
These adjustments to the measures for the entry of travelers to Panama have been taken considering “the high effectiveness and coverage in the national population of the
vaccine against”
covid, and in “for the sake of propping up economic recovery,” added the official document.
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) indicated in its most recent report that at least 57 out of 100 people have a complete vaccination schedule and 72% have received at least one dose in Panama, being one of the countries with the highest proportion of the fully immunized population, above the global average of 53%.