Colombia: Authorities introduce weekend quarantine orders for Medellín and Valle de Aburrá July 13 /update 20

Event

Authorities announced on Monday, July 13, that strict weekend quarantine restrictions will be imposed in Medellín and the municipalities in Valle de Aburrá due to a recent rise of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases. According to local officials, as these areas are expected to reach a peak of infections within the next 20 days, only four days of activity will be permitted per week, followed by three days of total closure. The weekend quarantine orders will come into effect every Friday at midnight (local time) and continue until Sunday night. However, Mondays will also be included as a full day of quarantine following festive weekends, such as the weekend between Friday, July 17, and Monday, July 20.

President Ivan Duque previously announced that measures in place to stem the spread of COVID-19 in Colombia have been extended until August 1. Several measures, including travel restrictions under the nationwide quarantine, had been due to be lifted on Wednesday, July 15. However, a continued increase in the rate of new COVID-19 infections prompted the government to extend the lockdown.

The move follows the easing of some local COVID-19 restrictions in the country in recent weeks. In late May, local mayors and regional administrations were given the authority to ease measures and begin reopening businesses in their own areas of jurisdiction. Some non-essential businesses and public facilities, including barbershops, museums, and libraries have since begun to reopen in areas with fewer COVID-19 cases. Those municipalities with no new COVID-19 infections are also scheduled to begin easing further restrictions in the coming days, including allowing the reopening of restaurants and places of worship. 490 municipalities in Colombia currently have no coronavirus infections, while 100 have low infection rates. Some 295 have reported no cases in the last three weeks.

Under Colombia's COVID-19 state of emergency, the country's borders remain closed, with domestic and international commercial flights suspended until September 1.

As of July 14, there have been 150,445 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Colombia, and 5634 associated fatalities. Further international spread of the virus is expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and trouble breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.