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Que Pasa Grecia
2021 Update 3
New in Que Pasa Grecia
New in Que Pasa Grecia: Finca Baaa goat cheese formerly at Corso is now being carried at Gran Bodega. There’s a new listing for a house for sale in Sarchi and a request for furnished house with pool to wanted to rent in Grecia.
COVID-19 Vaccines in Costa Rica
At the current rate of inoculation, Costa Rica will reach herd immunity for COVID 19 by December 2022. President Alvarado finds this wholly unacceptable and has asked his team for alternative solutions to make certain that herd immunity here happens much sooner.
Through the end of March focus will remain on vaccinating the over-80 crowd. The age 58 through 79 group will get greater focus for vaccinations beginning 1 April. Be sure you are registered with your EBAIS with your phone contact info as they will call you to give you an appointment time to be vaccinated. Important note: a first shot can be rescheduled, but your second vaccination shot cannot be rescheduled.
Costa Rica is reviewing its commitment to begin use of the AstraZeneca vaccine (C.R.’s is being produced in India). The AZ vaccine has come with a set of issues about how its Phase III testing was reported, AZ amended report now says that its solution produces 76% efficacy and that no one from the Phase III group died from COVID after being vaccinated.
We may be done with COVID-19, but COVID-19 is not done with us.
Driver’s License Validation Extended to September
For perpetual tourists stuck here and C.R. residency applicants, the driver’s license from your country of origin will remain valid for driving in Costa Rica until this September—even if it has expired. You will still need to exit the country and return with a new visa in order to use it to drive in C.R. and have valid Costa Rica auto insurance.
Land Borders Opening Again on 5 April
Visas will again be easier to get beginning Monday, 5 April as Costa Rica will open its land borders with Nicaragua and Panama.
Semana Santa Notes
Driving restrictions remain the same through Semana Santa. For violating driving restrictions, there is a ȼ110,700 fine, but no license plate seizures. The government has forced most federal employees to take vacations during Semana Santa (28 March – 4 April) in order to help fill empty hotels and crowd the beaches. The result will be more crowding on the roads and at tourist hotspots and most of the federal offices will be closed or with reduced staff.
Many other local government offices and banks will be closed for all or part of the Semana Santa holiday. In addition, there are still a few cantons that do not sell alcohol during the holiday period.
911 in Costa Rica
By recent personal experience, I learned a few things about responding to emergencies. Costa Rica mans a central ‘911’ emergency line 24/7/365. There should always be someone available to take your emergency information in English. This is number is good for police, fire and ambulance calls.
Our emergency was an unwelcome coral snake visitor in our bedroom. The Sarchi Bomberos (direct #: 2454-4048) was called and in about seven minutes the expert showed up with the proper tools and gear and in about ten minutes the snake was located under our dog’s bedding, captured and removed. (If your Spanish is good enough, it might be wise to add the direct line to your local police, fire and ambulance to your phone contacts.)
This got me to thinking, “What if I hadn’t spotted the snake before our dogs and one of them was bitten?” I’ve added a couple of 24/7 emergency vet numbers to the refrigerator and my phone contacts. For Sarchi and Naranjo, the emergency vet numbers I have are both in Naranjo: Dr. Josue, 8317-0547 and Dr. Randall Maroto, 8390-4481. Ask your vet to recommend a couple of emergency numbers.
“Tener muy buena vista”
To have an eagle eye.
Thank you Isabel Arguello for your continuing contributions.
Isabel teaches Spanish and does translations.
Find out more about Isabel on the QuePasaGrecia website.
D. Davis, editor
Diane Cooner, webmaster
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