Costa Rica is encouraging domestic tourism during the upcoming Easter Holy Week, but authorities are advising travelers to follow established coronavirus protocols.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Health Ministry and the National Emergency Commission (CNE) declined to announce any new coronavirus measures for the busy holiday week. Barring further changes, Costa Rica will continue allowing most commercial businesses to operate with some capacity restrictions during Semana Santa.
But leaders warned the virus remains a threat, especially if people ignore established protocols.
“The virus still exists. There are people hospitalized, and we remain attentive that the protocols must be complied with,” said Daniel Salas, the Health Minister.
Traffic Police in Costa Rica are warning impatient drivers to take it slow during the upcoming holiday break.
Authorities say they issued 65% more speeding tickets in 2020 compared to 2019. The amount of speeders has increased further in 2021, with more than triple the number of fines issued compared to last year.
“These alarming figures make the Traffic Police foresee that this year will be a very complicated one on this issue,” the Public Works and Transport Ministry (MOPT) said in a press release.
“Thus, this problem will continue to be attacked on the road, more at the onset of Easter Holy Week, which could generate an increase in cases, by people who want to go or return in expedited times from their trips.”
In an effort to reactivate Costa Rica’s tourism industry, Central Government workers will take mandatory vacations during Easter Holy Week.
The announcement came Thursday after a request from the Tourism Board and is meant to “contribute to the reactivation of the tourism sector and the chains associated with this industry in the rural and coastal communities of the country.”
“The Executive Power will apply a collective closure and grant vacations, on March 29, 30 and 31, which will be reduced from the balances of the civil servants,” said Silvia Lara, Labor Minister.
“Public institutions will take the corresponding provisions so as not to affect essential public services, as well as emergency care.”
The Public Works and Transport Ministry (MOPT) is reminding drivers to follow the rules of the road when traveling this weekend.
In March, Costa Rica has lifted its weekend daytime driving restrictions, in addition to suspending national weekday restrictions. That may lead to more traffic and more accidents, MOPT says.
In February, Costa Rica reported 35 road deaths. It marked the third-highest total since the coronavirus pandemic began despite the month having just 28 days and was the deadliest February since 2016.
“We are very concerned about these figures, because from where they are analyzed, they show very negative trends,” said German Marín Sandí, Director of the Traffic Police.
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