Tag Archives: COVID-19

Work from home for Free Trade Zone Companies during National State of Emergency in Costa Rica for COVID-19

By circular DGA-006-2020 of March 19, 2020, the General Directorate of Customs authorized Free Trade Zone companies to take the following measures while the National Emergency Decree remains in force. Transfer of computer equipment and furniture Transfer the necessary and indispensable computer equipment and furniture, so that the employees can carry out the functions authorized…

Frequently Asked Questions on Labor matters related to COVID-19 in Nicaragua

In case of business closure and termination of the employment relationship, can the business schedule the payment of the severance agreement? A: Employers and employees can agree on a liquidation payment plan beneficial to both parties, but employers cannot impose it unilaterally. It is important that the arrangement is made in writing and executed by both…

Legal aspects related to Coronavirus in El Salvador

General On March 18, 2020, decrees for the measures of the Economic Response and Relief Plan were submitted to the Legislative Assembly, pending their approval. This includes funding to create the $2 billion Emergency, Recovery and Economic Reconstruction Fund, which will include $50 million for micro and small businesses to create productive capacity and ventures,…

Prevention of COVID-19 in Guatemala

Last week Guatemala joined the list of countries that confirm the existence of the COVID-19 virus, making this situation an imminent call to all businessmen and leaders of institutions, including educational centers, to review and raise the need for a plan of internal prevention, protocols and guidelines that indicate the appropriate handling of any situation…

Immigration measures to reduce COVID-19 exposure in Costa Rica

The Government of Costa Rica, today 23rd of March 2020, announced stronger sanitary measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the country. In this sense, the following was expanded in terms of immigration measures: As of March 24, 2020, any foreign person who is a Resident or with any approved regular status in the…

Authorization of Extensions of Temporary Import Certificates, Tourist Category, by Emergency of COVID-19

Costa Rica´s General Directorate of Customs authorized the beneficiaries of the tourist category temporary importation regime to extend their temporary import certificates for the authorized period of their immigration status established by the General Directorate of Immigration and Foreigners (Guideline DGA-005-2020 of March 24th, 2020) Scope: The extension will apply to land, air or water vehicles,…

Normative provisions for the financial sector in Costa Rica based on COVID-19

1. Central Bank – Monetary Policy Measures  – The Boards of Directors of the Central Bank of Costa Rica has approved the following measures: A reduction of the Monetary Policy Rate (“TPM” for its acronym in Spanish) by 100 basis points, to 1,25% annually, applicable as of March 17, 2020; A reduction of the interest…

Closing of beaches in Costa Rica as sanitary measure against COVID-19

The government of Costa Rica, as a precautionary sanitary measure against the spread of COVID-19, has issued a new country wide mandatory order to close access to all Costa Rican beaches. Although several Municipalities had issued this measure in the last days, this is now mandatory for all the country. Non-compliance with these provisions shall…

Q&A in Labor matters regarding the Coronavirus COVID-19 in Honduras

In light of the national emergency we are living caused by the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), at BLP we have developed this communication to hep inform our clients on the most important factors to take into consideration in the workplace for their companies. Starting Sunday, March 15 at 11:59 pm, the Honduran Government decreed…