* The Costa Rican government led by President
Carlos Alvarado has said that as of 1 May it will start reopening the economy and lifting some social distancing measures introduced to stop the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19), following a continued decline in the number of active infections. As of 27 April, Costa Rica had registered 697 Covid-19 cases and six deaths. According to the government - which had declared a state of national emergency on 16 March, ordering the closure of non-essential businesses, film theatres, gyms, and hair salons - these will be allowed to reopen on 1 May, but under reduced hours, and with strict rules on the number of clients allowed at any one time. The government will review the success of the measures on 15 May, while for the time being borders, beaches, churches, and education centres will remain closed, and mass events prohibited. On 24 April Costa Rica’s central bank (BCCR) released a new report which forecast that the country’s GDP will contract by 3.6% in 2020 due to the economic impact of Covid-19.
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