Colombia: Authorities extend COVID-19 health emergency through May 31 /update 28

Colombia loosen and extend COVID-19 measures through May; local officials continue to impose stricter measures. Travel protocols remain.

Event

Authorities will extend the nation's COVID-19 health emergency measures from Feb. 28 through at least May 31, with some revisions to the existing restrictions. Under the continued measures, private and public mass gatherings remain prohibited, and mass and high-contact events and venues, such as nightclubs, must remain closed. Individuals must continue to wear facemasks in public spaces and adhere to physical-distancing and sanitization protocols. Under the new orders, the consumption of alcohol outside of private households remains mostly banned; however, officials will permit restaurants to resume serving alcohol. Mayors may also seek special approval for the local sale of alcohol at bars and similar establishments. Officials will also authorize the gradual reopening of schools.

Authorities in cities, municipalities, and departments remain empowered to enforce stricter business and movement restrictions, depending on local disease activity. These could take the form of curfews, hard lockdowns, restrictions on business operating hours and capacity limits, and movement restrictions based on ID and license plate numbers.

In Bogota, as of late February, all nonessential establishments must close by 2300; restaurants may operate until 0001. Although ID-based movement restrictions have been lifted, officials are enforcing vehicular movement restrictions based on license plate numbers. The measure is being enforced 0600-0830 and 1500-1930 Monday-Friday. Only license plate numbers ending in 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 are permitted on odd-numbered days, while numbers ending in 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 are permitted on even-numbered days. Localized curfew measures are likely to sporadically be enforced in other major cities and departments through at least the end of March. Officials have tightened movement restrictions over weekend periods in several areas recently.

International Travel
All travelers must present proof of a negative COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test taken no more than 96 hours before departure. Persons without a test may be permitted entry but will be subject to testing upon arrival and quarantine until they obtain the results. All travelers need to complete the "Check-Mig" online form between 24 hours and one hour before departure and must comply with regulations associated with contact-tracing upon arrival. Travelers with COVID-19 symptoms will not be allowed to enter the country.

Approved international commercial passenger flights are continuing at Colombia's main airports, including from Bolivia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Curacao, Panama, and the US. All international flights with Brazil have been suspended until at least Feb. 28 due to the discovery of a variant strain of COVID-19 in that country; cargo and humanitarian flights are permitted. International flights with the UK have been restricted since Dec. 21 due to the spread of a variant strain of COVID-19 in that country. It is unclear when the restrictions will be lifted. Only Colombian citizens, residents, and other authorized travelers who have been in or traveled to the UK within 14 days before arrival are permitted entry subject to a 14-day mandatory quarantine. Colombia's land and river borders remain closed, except for cargo and humanitarian aid, until at least March 1; however, this closure may be extended under the health emergency orders in place through May.

Authorities could further tighten, reimpose, extend, ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments.