The  closure of  Pan-American Highway by Pacora residents protesting the use of a local campus to house students under health surveillance after returning from China forced health authorities to relocate them.

They had been under observation at the Father Fernando Guardia Jaén School,

The highway was blocked from 3 am preventing many drivers from getting to work and forcing Metro buses to return to the city.

 After 7:20 am, a contingent of vehicles including a bus carrying the students began to leave

Nadja Porcell, General Director of Health of the Health  Ministry told TVN News, that the situation in Pacora was unfortunate. She stressed that what was to be avoided was for people to enter into a state of fear. " The students  have no symptoms, they have arrived from cities in China and we follow all the recommendations that have been given internationally ."

She said that they were put in that place for observation  and after 14 days with no symptoms, they would return to their homes.

" That is a measure that has been taken based on the protocols that we have already consulted with all international organizations, " he said.

Porcell said that in Panama surveillance has intensified at the airport and other points of entry, due to new coronavirus.

She said that they wanted to ensure the privacy of the students who returned from China. " The truth is that the action of some people is regrettable ."