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Que Pasa Grecia
2021 Update 8
Improvements Coming to Que Pasa Grecia
Some business changes at our software vendors are causing us to take a serious look at how we provide information to our subscribers and website visitors. It should actually result in positive changes for all of us. Look for some improvements in the coming months to the website and in the way updates are provided.
New in Que Pasa Grecia
Since our last update we have new listings for an adult tricycle, a folding bike, and fishing rods and reels. There is also a new rental listing in Sarchi.
Don’t forget if you have items or property that have sold or a property for rent that is rented, please let us know. We have deleted everything in these sections that is older than a year old. (If your listing is still for sale or rent, let us hear from you.)
COVID-19 Status & Vaccine Availability in Costa Rica
Costa Rica has been experiencing a high rate of COVID fatalities. (Currently, someone is dying of COVID in Costa Rica every 40 minutes.) The demand for vaccinations remains among the populace, but having had limited access to the vaccines has contributed negatively to getting the pandemic under control here.
However, a large number of doses is currently in country and the hope is a much higher percentage of the population will soon be vaccinated. On the upside, over 91% of the 58-and-over population has received both doses of the vaccine.The country has gotten international assurances that more vaccines will be made available, but, for instance, there is no indication that booster shots are in our future.
The delta variant is here and needs to be taken seriously. Get your shot. Remember, we may be done with COVID-19, but COVID-19 is not done with us—not for some time to come.
Driving Restrictions Beginning 1 October
Since the COVID delta variant is still a serious issue in Costa Rica, driving restrictions returned 1 October with the usual one-day-per-week ‘CAN’T DRIVE,’ ‘odd/even can’t drive’ weekends and a 9pm week-long driving curfew in place.
C.R.’s Intra-National/International ‘Vaccine Passport’
Karen and I finally got our intra-national vaccine passports proving our COVID vaccination status. They came with a QR code and we copied the ‘passport’ to our cellphones. Recent travel to the U.S. did not require this ‘passport,’ but an apostiled version is now available (for a fee) through your local Correos office. It is unclear, but an apostiled version is likely to be required for travel to Europe once Americans are permitted to travel to Europe again and MAY eventually be required for travel to the U.S. and/or elsewhere.
(Go online to the 22/08, Sunday, 7am edition of “Q Costa Rica” for details. I believe, recent info on the Correos-available apostiled version has been covered on “Q Costa Rica,” as well.
C.R.’s Pase de Salud
Upon our check in departure from the U.S., we were totally surprised that a Costa Rica Pase de Salud (health pass) form was required for entry/re-entry to Costa Rica. The completed online form provides a QR code to your email. This QR code in your email or a copy of the QR code will be scanned by Immigration upon your entry to Costa Rica.
While necessary for entry, it’s a pretty simple form. However, it would be much less of a hassle if you filled it out prior to departure and not wait for the moment when your flight is boarding as happened to us. Your airline is SUPPOSED to provide access to the form, but I’m pretty certain the form is available on the Ministerio de Salud website.
A negative COVID test within 72-hours of departure to the United States is required. However, there are no requirements for vaccinations or negative COVID tests at present for visitors coming to Costa Rica. For those who are not vaccinated, they will still need to show proof of medical insurance before being granted entry.
3 Other Health-Related Tidbits
1. Vaping is now prohibited in public places. 2. A law to permit medical marijuana and hemp to be grown in and exported from in Costa Rica is working its way through the legislature. 3. Prescriptions must now include the generic name of the drug.
“El tiempo lo cura todo”
Time heals all wounds
Thank you Isabel Arguello for your continuing contributions.
Isabel teaches Spanish and does translations.
Find out more about Isabel on the QuePasaGrecia website.
Please, stay safe,
D. Davis, editor
Diane Cooner, webmaster
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