Authorities of the National Commission of Emergencies (CNE), the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC), among others, are evaluating the implementation of security measures to reopen Poás Volcano National Park, for Easter this year.
Rafael Gutiérrez, director of the central region of SINAC, explained that this Monday they had a meeting to evaluate the opening, since the volcano that has being closed to the public for 10 months now, and the volcanic activity has diminished.
The official explained that in order to reopen the park some changes must be made such as:
• Install gas meters in areas of public use and where officials live.
• Find a space that works as a refuge for tourists in case of eruption.
• Label the zones with information about the situation.
• Train officials and volunteers on what to do in case of eruption.
• Work on temporary closures and not definitive ones.
• Repair the booth where the officials are located.
• Reshape the areas affected by the eruptions.
According to Gutiérrez, the authorities have proposed to work as soon as possible to meet these conditions in the coming weeks, taking into account that Holy Week this year is from March 25th to 31st.
Although there is no certainty about the needed budget to reopen the volcano, it is estimated that only in infrastructure it will be approximately 25 million colones.
The closure of the park has caused economic crisis for the residents of the area, who have even had to close businesses due to the low influx of tourists.