Prohibitions during Carnival of the City

The security agents that will watch over Carnival of the City "Discovery" to ensure that it runs smoothly said that this year wigs, masks, dyed hair, disguises and costumes will be banned within the premises of the Coastal Strip during the four days of Carnival, in order to thwart antisocial groups who plot to commit some criminal act and hope to escape detection.

Nestor Rios, Institutional Security Coordinator for the Panama Tourism Authority, said that these measures were agreed upon in a meeting with senior officers of the National Police, since they have proved successful over the last two years. “Zero incidents of violence in 2010 and 2011 during Carnival of the City is the best evidence of that,” Rios added.

The Metropolitan Director of Health, Jorge Hassan, said that they will also prohibit the use of confetti, streamers and foam spray, which can cause eye injuries. He added that only water tanks that have received special permission and been authorized by the Ministry of Health as having never been used in the past to transport fuel or toxic substances may enter the parade area as culecos during the four days of Carnival.

More than 3,500 members of security agencies will be on duty during the Carnival of the City "Discovery", since in addition to the National Police, there will be units from the National Civil Protection System (SINAPROC), Fire Station, Red Cross, Migration, Institutional Protection System (SPI) and others that will not only be in the parade area, but at bus stops and along the routes to this capital city carnival. This year over 800,000 people, among nationals and foreigners, are expected to attend this totally free event.