We sailed to Panama from Vancouver, BC, and we were planning to transit the canal and dry store over the rainy season in Shelter Bay. We had planned several refit items while here, but all of those are on hold due to a lack of contractors and an inability to source parts and supplies with all the shops closed.

We were able to transit the canal and get into the marina more by good luck than any special prescience or planning, but we are glad to be here (as opposed to any of the other options in Panama). We recommend to all of our fellow cruisers to shelter in place as best you can, as movement is a very uncertain business these days.

Panama is under a significant and escalating battle against the covid-19 virus.

Measures taken to date include:

• ‘Sanitary cordons’ at certain provincial borders (around Colon, ouest Panama and Panama City). To pass these roadblocks you must have proof of residence in one and employment or other valid reason (such as an air ticket) in another. Movement within the country has come to a standstill, and courier deliveries are halted as well. Public transit is cut back.
• The borders are closed by land to all but citizens and permanent residents, and international air traffic has been halted for 30 days. Copa, the national air carrier, is also ceasing operations for 30 days.
• Arriving boats are only accepted at certain ports (Colon on the Carib Coast, all others closed). Boats are held at anchor under Aeronaval supervision with crews aboard for 14 days. Since none of the boats have been at anchor 14 days yet, it is uncertain if they will be allowed into the marina after quarantine is complete. In Colon harbour, the staff at Shelter Bay deliver water, food and fuel to the boats at anchor daily.
• Marinas are closed and told they may not accept new boats. One boat that left Vista Mar Marina on the Pacific coast and tried to return 48 hours later was denied entry. All marinas have armed Aeronaval personnel on site 24/7 to enforce this.
• Only essential businesses are open (groceries and pharmacies). Entry is limited to 50 people at a time. Stores are well stocked, save masks and hand sanitizer.

At Shelter Bay marina, the chandler is closed, the restaurant is takeout only, the pool is closed, all social activities are cancelled except the morning net, the sail loft is closed, the minimart has stepped up with a wider range of goods, the daily shuttle to Colon for shopping is cancelled, hauling and launching boats is curtailed due to lack of staff and the office is operating on reduced staff. Cruisers are encouraged to self isolate aboard their boats (not that they can do anything else).

Canal transits continue as normal, but agents cannot move lines, fenders and line handlers between the two ends of the canal, making small boat transit all but impossible. If a boat is so equipped and manned that it can transit without taking lines, fenders and crew aboard, it would be barred from marina entry on the other end of the canal after transiting. Since all typical destination ports east and west are effectively closed, most cruisers are choosing to shelter in place and wait to see how things develop.

Rob Murray
SY Avant

• Panama Biosecurity Details
• More COVID-19 Field Reports
•  COVID-19 Coronavirus: Special Procedures Being Introduced in Ports of Entry Worldwide

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Please share your current experience with COVID-19 restrictions and how it has affected your cruising plans. Contact Sue at [email protected] with your field report.

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The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the view of Noonsite.com or World Cruising Club.