UPDATED – Oct 1, 2020
UPDATE: As of October 12th, the information in my original post (below) is obsolete.
As of October 12th, a Covid test is required within 48 hours of Panama arrival.
Click to read details about this change.
However, until then, the following information is correct.
Yesterday, (Sept 4th) it was 48 hours.
Now, it is 96 hours.
That is, Panama now allows the required Covid test to be taken up to 96 hours before boarding a plane for Panama.
Specifically, Panama requires a negative Covid PCR test or an antigen test that was done at most 96 hours before boarding the plane.
Panama’s Ministry of Health made the announcement today, September 5, 2020. I posted the announcement, in Spanish, below. Click on the image to enlarge it.
Given the logistical difficulties to impossibilities of getting a test and results within 48 hours, this is very good news.
As you may know, Panama Updated its reopening plans. The reopening plan is scheduled to start on September 7th.
UPDATED September 15, 2020:
Currently, only Panama citizens and legal residents can enter Panama. Right now, these travelers must quarantine for 14-days upon arrival. It was up in the air about whether the 14-day quarantine would be required post-October 12th.
Now it looks very much a certainty that the 14-day quarantine will not be required. Read more about the 14-day quarantine requirement and other Panama travel details.
