The authorities in Panama decided to set aside days only for men to leave their homes and for women starting today, Wednesday, as part of new measures imposed by the government to combat the Corona virus (Covid 19).
The decision allows women to leave their homes on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, while men are allowed to do so on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The Ministry of Health stated that the new measure, in which men and women have to stay in their homes on Sundays, aims to reduce street traffic by half.
These strict rules were applied after many people violated the public quarantine announced by President Laurentino Cortezo on March 25.
Hundreds of people are arrested every day for violating the quarantine since it was imposed indefinitely, while many have appeared before judges and have been fined. While persons over 60 and those with disabilities must abide by the ban, they have been given special shopping times and may be accompanied by caregivers.
Panama has reported 1,100 cases of coronavirus so far. The Ministry of Health said that 10% of them were transferred to hospitals, while 4% were in intensive care units.