Coronavirus Quarantine | Week Five

I really don't want to write about Social Distancing again, but that is what seems to be on everyone's minds.

It was very strange to be totally locked down during Semana Santa, or Holy Week. We were rather surprised to hear just how big that week is in Costa Rica. Travelers and vacationers descend on the beaches much like spring-breakers descend on Daytona and the beaches of Florida.

This year law enforcement was ready all along Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast. Warning shots were fired, groups of surfers were disbanded and sent packing. Reports from those who were close to the action reported that Holy Week was remarkably quiet. Store closures and driving restrictions by license plate number kept the road traffic to a noticeable minimum.

Masked banditos

Early in this pandemic Costa Rica declared a medical emergency. It might seem strange for a country of about 5 million people to close the borders and tell its population to stay home so early in the virus’s presence. But Costa Rica relies heavily on the tourist revenue their beautiful country generates from those wishing to visit such an environmentally protected area.

The result of this early intervention is—today there are 626 cases of COVID-19 and 4 deaths from the virus. New cases have dropped to below ten per day. Rarely during the quarantine was the daily new case number above 30.

Does this mean the plague is over—does it mean Costa Rica has dodged the bullet? Too early to tell. Most flights in and out have been cancelled through at least May. Vacation cancellations are through the roof. But I would be willing to guess that protecting its main economic engine—tourism—will pay early dividends that will last long into the future.

Costa Rica seems to be following the Swedish model by gradually re-opening its economy by allowing those who can return to work, while they concentrate medical protection around those most at risk from the virus.

Only time will tell if they were right.