Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. Panama Resumes Reopening of Businesses and Places of Worship Amid COVID-19 Outbreak VOA News Panama is resuming the gradual reopeningofbusinessesand places of worshipafterfive months of lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. An elderlyparishionerat the Iglesia del Carmen, in Panama Citytoldthe French News Pressthat she was overjoyed to havemass in person for the first time in fivemonths. On Monday,churches,hair salons, retail shops and car lotsalsoreopened. The hair salons and barbershops will operate with appointments only and at 50% of their capacity, as the countrytries to reenergize the sluggish economy. The government has also allowed public and private construction projects to resume andreopenednon-governmental organizations toresume operations. Panama has confirmed morethan 82,000coronavirus cases and more than 1,700 deaths. .