Health Minister suspends football final in Costa Rica

The Minister of Health, Daniel Salas, announced in a press conference the suspension of the final after reporting 119 new cases in the last 24 hours, for a total of 2,058. This Friday's figure is the highest number recorded in the country in one day, since its first diagnosis on March 6.

The rescheduling of the final will depend on the evolution of the pandemic in the coming days.

Authorities have recently reported that clusters of cases have been detected after family and social gatherings.

The football final was scheduled to take place on Sunday for the first leg and the following Wednesday for the second leg.

Minister Salas expressed concern about the increase in cases and asked the population not to hold family gatherings for Father's Day, which is celebrated this Sunday and coincides with the football final.

The Costa Rican Clausura Tournament resumed on May 19, after a two-month suspension, under a comprehensive health protocol that requires playing without an audience, constant hand and equipment disinfection, the use of masks for substitutes, and distancing in the dugouts.

Although the teams have complied with this protocol and no player has tested positive so far, health authorities decided to suspend the final to prevent social gatherings.

Since the resumption of the tournament, the 7 pending rounds of the qualifying phase and the two semifinal series between Saprissa and Cartaginés, and Alajuelense against Herediano were played.

Saprissa is looking for their 35th title and Alajuelense for their 30th star.

The final had generated great expectation among fans of the two most popular teams in the country.