The Truth About Panama--Yellow Fever

Learn more about Panama in International Living Postcards--your daily escape

Friday, July 20, 2007

The issues we've told you about this week are still under discussion in Panama. As is currently being reported there, it is possible that the Panama Assembly may vote to extend the property tax exemption (set to expire in August) through the end of the year. It may also vote to rescind current legislation limiting tourists to a 30-day stay in the country and reinstate the old policy allowing a 90-day tourist visa.

Then again, the government may decide to stick to its guns with these new policies. Either way, you can be sure the issues will be well debated--by public officials and by those with a vested interest in the outcome…as well as by those who just like to rabble rouse. As always when there is money at stake, there are many opinions. And there is always another side to every story. The property tax exemption can't last forever. With the current economic growth and influx of new residents (legal and not) that come with that, tax dollars for infrastructure improvements are necessary.

As for the tourist visa situation, it seems to make sense (from an economic standpoint, at least) that the length of stay not be restricted to just 30 days (with possible discretionary extensions). But government officials also want to ensure that the system is not being abused. If you have watched U.S. immigration officials struggle with this issue in recent years, you know this is not an easy task.

There is one other hotly debated issue that has recently come to the forefront in Panama that you should be aware of: the move by the Ministry of Health (MINSA) to require anyone entering the country to get a Yellow Fever vaccination. We reported about this via our Panama First Alerts (sign up free here).

Panama's National Assembly approved this law, which must be ratified by the President before it enters into effect. Two weeks ago the Panama press reported that President Torrijos rejected the draft, saying that the measure should not be applied indiscriminately to all visitors.

MINSA officials say the draft will be reworded and returned to the Assembly for debate before going again to the President. They say the Ministry's goal is to ensure that visitors from countries with proven incidences of yellow fever and other public health threats, such as cholera, are vaccinated before entering Panama. And although MINSA has yet to specify which countries will be targeted, it is likely that visitors from North America and Europe will be exempt from the requirement.

We'll keep you posted in our Panama First Alerts.

Suzan Haskins
Latin America Insider, International Living

P.S. The Panama Insider "try it for $1" offer continues…but only for two more days. If you'd like to explore Panama for $1 go here now.