(TravelAgentCentral) Panama has announced, with immediate effect, the lifting of mask requirements in outdoor spaces and open-air areas. This has been done to provide visitors unencumbered access to the country’s natural wonders.
Ivan Eskildsen, minister of tourism, said the decision to ease restrictions came on the back of the improvement of COVID-19 conditions. “Mask removal in the outdoors is the latest step in keeping visitors and locals safe, and to help satisfy their wanderlust through our commitment to preservation of nature and culture, while empowering local communities,” he said.
The new policy is particularly good news for hikers to explore a range of hikes at all experience levels—from easy strolls to moderate hikes and more serious trails for the seasoned trekker.
Travelers can explore Panama through three distinct heritage pillars identified in the country’s “Master Plan for Sustainable Tourism” introduced in 2020. The pillars include Cultural Heritage, which showcases Panama’s history and multicultural diversity, a blend of African, North American, Spanish influences, as well as the country’s seven indigenous ethnic groups; Green Heritage, which takes visitors across 13 national parks and protected areas making up one-third of the country; and Blue Heritage, which covers the Pacific and Atlantic oceans with experiences including whale-watching, turtle conservation and marine exploration across Coiba National Park, a diving destination part of the Easter Tropical Marine Corridor (CMAR) along with the Galápagos Islands, created to conserve biodiversity and promote the sustainable use of marine resources.