LatinNews Regional Monitor: Caribbean & Central America - 12 May 2020

* Panama’s health ministry has announced a gradual easing of the containment measures implemented to stop the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19). As of tomorrow (13 May), the first phase will begin, affecting amongst other businesses: e-commerce; mechanics’ workshops, and general repairs; plumbers and electricians; systems maintenance; fishing and industrial aquiculture. The government has yet to announce dates for the following three phases. These will concern: ii) prioritised public infrastructure construction, non-metallic mining, and places of culture, parks, and sporting areas at 25% capacity and with two metres’ physical distancing; followed by iii) other trade, car sales, professional services, administrative services, and construction of specific projects; and then iv) air transport, hotels, and restaurants. The government led by President Laurentino Cortizo has faced pressure to reopen the economy, as the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America & the Caribbean (Eclac) forecasts that Panama's GDP will shrink by 2% in 2020 as a result of the pandemic.

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