This is the translation of the Decree issued by President Carlos Alvarado. 

The Government declares a National State of Emergency, suspends the arrival of foreigners into the country and closes schools nationwide.

• Quarantine measures will be implemented to people who enter the country, enforced as of today (Monday March 16^th, 2020).
• Closure of schools nationwide will not affect food service for the most vulnerable population.
• The Child Care Network (Red de Cuido) will remain open to guarantee that single mothers can continue working.

The country remains in Yellow Alert. To address the current situation, the government has issued an Emergency Decree which allows the implementation of measures to deal with the COVID-19 Virus. This measure allows the government to take budgetary and administrative actions to address the situation and to ensure the continuance of services.

Furthermore, the Costa Rican Government takes the following measures:

• All schools will be closed between March 17^th and April 4^th (2020). Return to classes will be scheduled for April 13^th. This is applicable to both private and public schools, including INA (National Vocational Learning Institute)
  • The school calendar is extended to December 23^rd, 2020.
  • Government subsidies for low income families will remain in place through the Government Programs known as Avancemos and Crecemos, in addition to the economic assistance to INA.
  • The Child Care Network (Red de Cuido) will remain open to guarantee that single mothers continue to work and also to avoid the exposure of Senior Citizens to the COVID-19 by assisting single mothers taking care of kids.
• Regarding commercial flights, through decree it is established that starting on Wednesday March 18^th at 23:59 hours until Sunday April 12^th at 23:59 hours, only Costa Rican Nationals and foreigners with residency will be allowed to reenter the country. This is applicable to all travel either through air, sea or land. Transportation crew is exempted from this measure.
  • In addition, both national citizens and foreign nationals with residency who enter the country during the aforementioned period of time MUST quarantine themselves for a mandatory period of 14 days. People will receive instructions by the Department of Health through Immigration Officers at the port of entry.

It is advised to people who work remotely to remain working in such a fashion (working from home) and for people who have jobs with a risk to exposure to take the sanitary measures to avoid contact with other people. (These measures have already been published)

In that same direction, the Minister of Health, Daniel Salas, has instructed national citizens to cancel trips abroad, specially for people who have planned vacations abroad during Easter Week. “The measures that are being implemented requires commitment from all and each of us. Do not travel abroad to the extent possible, stay at home” said the minister.

As of today March 16^th, data shows 41 confirmed cases of people infected with COVD 19, with a range of age between 10 and 87. The demographic is 20 women, 21 men, out of which six are foreigners in 17 counties and five provinces: San Jose, Heredia, Guanacaste, Alajuela and Cartago. By age, the distribution is 32 adults, five senior citizens, and four children. At this point, 615 people have tested negative to the virus.