Sharon and Greg's Panama Adventures August 05 2021

It's a sad week here, Sharon had to fly home and I have to stay for a little bit longer to get things finished at the brewery.
So here is some of Sharon's adventures here over the last few days.
Some info:
Our friend Patty Hayes can be reached here: www.pattyblueh...
She is an author (she signed Sharon's copy of her book) Patty is also a
voracious KZbinr on all things Panama.
Also, as promised:
Here is Sharon's post about what her experience was flying back into Canada from Panama with all of the restrictions that were in place at the time...
"Good evening fellow Canadians. I would like to share my recent experience returning to Canada since many people have questions and the process seems to change on a weekly basis. I had my first vaccine (AZ) in Ontario in April. At that time Copa Airlines gave us the option of getting a PCR test in Canada before we left. This test needed to be done within 72 hours of the flight and at a cost of $199 per person. The closest LifeLab to us was a 90 minute drive and they would not guarantee I would be able to get in, or that I would get results in time. (I have since learned you can get the test at Toronto Airport but I don't know the timing or cost of that) OR we could do a test upon arrival at PTY for $50 USD. We chose to do the one upon arrival. It took about 30 minutes to pay, get the test and the results. We waited in an empty Arrival Lounge and then went to get our bags. Easy. We were able to get our second AZ shot in Panama in May, at no cost because we have our Cedulas and permanent residency. So, in order to come back to Canada I paid $30 US to a local certified translator to get it translated and stamped. I also needed a PCR test within 72 hours of the flight home. We are near Coronado so I went to a local testing centre and paid $70US for that. I uploaded the ARRIVECan App on my phone and answered all the questions and uploaded photos of both my vaccinations. That can only be done within 5 days of the flight. When I checked in at COPA on August 1 I was asked if I had a recent test and I said Yes. They did not ask for proof. Masks are required everywhere in the airport and on the plane. We were given a box with a sandwich and piece of cake for a snack and water or juice to drink. No alcohol was served on the flight. Upon arrival in Toronto I did the Declaration form, lined up for the Customs Officer. He asked me for the Receipt # from the ARRIVECan app and entered in his computer. He asked me all the same questions I answered in the APP (Date, location and type of vaccine) and my name and birthdate. I got a green sticker on my passport and went to get my bags. THEN I had to shuffle my bags along in the COVID testing line and scan a QR code to answer the same questions and was handed a testing kit which I took over to the screening room. The technician there did a single nostril swab( even though it clearly said bi-lateral nasal swab on the bag), I got another sticker on my passport and I was free to leave. I got an email on Tuesday that my airport test was Negative. I did get a text on Thursday telling me my Day 8 Test was due on August 8, but when I opened the email it said " if you have received both doses of the vaccine please disregard this message.. So, all in all, not to bad.. typical government repetitiveness... I plan to be back in Panama in December so we shall see what the rules are by then... I miss it already.."
MUSIC CREDITS:
Music from KZbin Audio
• 🎵 Bongo Madness - Quin...
Bongo Madness
Artist : Quincas Moreira
The Heartstring by Snowflake (c) copyright 2012
Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license.
dig.ccmixter.or...
Ft: Loveshadow, Keri, Natalie, Brad & Cheryl