Panama Sets Men And Women Only Walk Days Amid Lockdown

Story By: Jonathan MaciasSub EditorJoseph GolderAgency: Newsflash

Panama has said that men and women must go outside on different days amid the COVID lockdown sparking queries from LGBT groups regarding transvestites.

According to local media, the Panamanian Health Minister Rosario Turner announced yesterday (Wednesday) that women can only go out on Monday, Wednesday and Friday meanwhile men can leave their homes on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

Turner told local media: “It is a difficult moment for the country.”

The Panamanian government declared a state of alert last week, sending citizens into lockdown as the sale of alcohol was also forbidden to prevent people from gathering in the streets or in houses to drink.

The new measure separating women from men was reportedly created to stop couples going out together as many citizens were going for a walk with their spouses as they are allowed to leave their houses for two hours to run necessary errands such as buying groceries or medicine.

Journalist Jose Arcia said: “During the police operation they realised that many couples were going out together for a walk.

“It is a way of putting more pressure on citizens and raise awareness.”

The measure has risen concern among the transgender community who claims they are afraid they could be arrested if they go out any of the days.

The president of the LGBTIC association Hombres y Mujeres Nuevos de Panama, Ricardo Beteta said: “What should I do if I am a man and I go out dressed as a woman on my agreed day in order to stop myself being arrested and fined by local authorities and not live in fear?”

Beteta has reportedly addressed the national government through a statement asking for trans people to not be arrested if they go out on the streets on any given day.

According to the latest data from the Johns Hopkins University, Panama has suffered 1,317 cases of COVID-19, with 32 deaths and 9 people recovered.

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