Originally Posted by
PaulSZ
No, sorry. Our beloved Panama turned totalitarian again. Within 4 weeks.
Some may like it. We hate it and just want to go home!
You must be living in a parallel universe and know little about the country. On the two videos is shows that's Curundú, one of the most dangerous areas in Panama City. Should the police not patrol the area? The looting is nothing new for that area anyways. The rest of the city and the country has been in chaos-free, with a few minor incidents here and there.
The "
medieval style punishment", or simply known as 'community work' is only for those that can't afford to pay the fine, which is only $50 and dealt with by Community Justice Houses; which are court trials, by the way. The
$50,000 to $100,000 fines only once was issued to the family that had a wedding a few weeks ago. Only in Changuinola it's higher than $50, to $100 and $10 for not wearing a mask. The genders and ID rules were published in 25 March and not been changed since then, and most people are ok with it and following it. The rule also says that if anyone is driving outside their times, your drivers license is taken away for three months and if no one else can drive, the car is taken away (Which is a basic rule since before lockdown). If you want to not follow clearly specified rules published weeks ago, then that's your own problem.
Most large supermarkets and pharmacies are open Monday to Friday during the times said by the rules. Supermercados Rey that are open 6:30am to 7:00pm and they are in practically everywhere. Alcohol is not sold, but most that want it would buy it before the rule was implemented. Drinking at home is fine, as long as you don't go out for the rest of the day. Police will not break your door, use their totalitarian power and fine you $50,000.
Get a grip and stop spreading false information. Safe travels back to your country.