COVID-19: New foreign travel restrictions issued

IMPACT – HIGH

The Costa Rica government recently announced new travel restrictions to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Key points:

• The Costa Rican government recommends that resident foreign nationals should not leave Costa Rica from now until to April 12. Resident foreign nationals in Costa Rica who leave the country during this period will receive an official impediment to return to Costa Rica for a period of time the Health Ministry considers necessary. This period will last until at least April 12, but it could be extended.
• Resident foreign nationals that have received the impediment to re-enter Costa Rica will have their immigration statuses revoked if they attempt to come into the country through an unauthorized border crossing.

Analysis & Comments: Foreign nationals that are legal residents or that have a legal immigration status in Costa Rica are not allowed to re-enter Costa Rica for an indefinite period, if they leave the country at this time. It is possible the new foreign travel restrictions may be strengthened in the coming weeks, depending on the COVID-19 situation.

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