NEW TRAFFIC  patterns for Carnival went into effect at 4 pm on Friday, Feb.24 as scores of thousands of cars left Panama  City  heading to beaches and Carnival events in the Interior.

[caption id="attachment_68569" align="alignleft" width="401"] La Prensa'cartoonist Vic's take on the carnival exodus[/caption]

A 25,000 government task force moved into place to monitor the flow, with health services in hospitals and clinics on green alert to deal with potential casualties.

The traffic operation started at the Bridge of the Americas, with the flow  scheduled to be in one direction until  at least 7 p.m. If necessary, the measure could be extended.

The plan also calls for an extra lane to be established into the interior.