Schools stay closed Monday, but the Metro is running again

Updated: Sunday 11 October, 4:10 p.m. Panama time

Monday 12 October brings mixed news for families and commuters after the 9 October earthquake. Schools stay shut while their buildings are checked, but Panama City's Metro is back in service.

Schools: MEDUCA suspended classes on Monday 12 October at all public and private schools while buildings are inspected. There is no return date and no decision on Tuesday yet; the ministry says it will set next steps on Monday, once the inspections are in (TVN, Infobae).
Metro: Lines 1 and 2 reopened on Sunday morning on regular hours after test runs without passengers (Infobae).
Universities: the University of Panama moves classes online on Monday 12 and Tuesday 13 October (La Prensa). UTP has no in-person classes on Monday at its Coclé, Azuero and Veraguas centres and in Aguadulce; its other sites reopen (Telemetro).
Flights: Copa says passengers with tickets issued by 9 October for travel from 9 to 14 October can change dates with no penalty or fare difference for travel by 31 October, keep the value as credit, or ask for a refund, even on non-refundable fares (La Estrella).

For Tocumen, Monday's suspended drill and the wider picture, see Where the Metro, flights and schools stand after the quake.

Sources

TVN - MEDUCA suspends classes on Monday 12 October at public and private schools - 10 Oct 2026
Infobae - Monday classes suspended; next steps to be set on Monday after inspections - 11 Oct 2026
Infobae - Metro Lines 1 and 2 resume service after two days - 11 Oct 2026
La Prensa - University of Panama classes online on 12 and 13 October - 10 Oct 2026
Telemetro - UTP: no in-person classes on Monday at four sites - 11 Oct 2026
La Estrella - Copa widens free changes and refunds after the quake - 10 Oct 2026