Panamanian president Nito Cortizo ordered the construction of a modular hospital, similar to China's purpose built hospitals, to be completed within a month. Panama also closed its land border with Costa Rica, and began to operate a Whatsapp number to allow people to consult a doctor. Panamanian authorities later began to explore the possibility of a mandatory nationwide quarantine, and allowing only one person per household to buy groceries and pharmaceuticals.[228][229][230][231][232]