President Laurentino Cortizo, in use of his constitutional and legal powers, sanctioned this Monday, Executive Decree No. 5 of February 14, 2022, which orders the closure of national and municipal public offices on Monday, February 28. 2022, Carnival Monday.
According to the recitals of the Decree of the Ministry of Government, the celebration of the Carnivals on February 26, 27, 28 and March 1, 2022, has been cancelled, throughout the national territory, due to the COVID pandemic -19 and Tuesday I March 2022 is a legally mandated day off; however, the foregoing does not constitute an obstacle for the movement of people towards recreation and leisure areas, on those dates.
It also adds that said massive movement of people constitutes an important factor for the economic reactivation and the promotion of tourism in the Republic of Panama, for which said closure of offices is ordered on Carnival Monday.
In its article 2, the Decree orders that public servants must work on February 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23 and 24, 2022, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., to compensate the hours corresponding to the regular working day of the day referred to in the previous article.
Likewise, it exempts public offices from the provisions that, due to the nature of the service they provide, must remain in operation, such as: the National Aqueduct and Sewer Institute (IDAAN), health institutions, such as hospitals, clinics, polyclinics, health centers and health units, both from the Social Security Fund and the Ministry of Health.
Also excluded are postal services, the Meritorious Fire Department of the Republic of Panama, the National Civil Protection System, the Land Traffic and Transportation Authority, the Panama Metro SA, Mass Transportation of Panama SA, the National Immigration Service. , the branches of the Public Force, the Civil Aeronautics Authority, Tocumen SA, the National Customs Authority, Agricultural Quarantine of the Ministry of Agricultural Development, the Electricity Transmission Company SA (ETESA); the Electricity Generation Company (EGESA) and the auxiliary entities to international trade that provide services in port facilities.
The Decree explains that those dependencies that, due to the nature of their services, must work uninterruptedly may benefit from the schemes, procedures, or legal work regulations that they have available for such purposes.
Indicates that banking institutions will be governed by the provisions of SBP Resolution No. 124-2006 of December 4, 2006 and excludes the Panama Canal Authority from the application of this Executive Decree, in accordance with the provisions of article 93 of Law No. 19 of June 11, 1997.
On the other hand, the Executive Decree that is based on Law 19 of May 3, 2020 and Law 38 of July 31, 2000, suspends the terms in the administrative procedures on Monday, February 28, 2022, as established in the Title V of Law 38 of July 31, 2000.
