Colombia: Authorities ease COVID-19 restrictions in most areas of the country starting June 1 /update 34

Colombia eases restrictions nationwide June 1, except in areas most affected by COVID-19; international travel restrictions remain in place.

Event

Authorities in Colombia have issued orders to ease most COVID-19-related restrictions in place nationwide starting June 1, except in municipalities where hospitals have intensive care unit (ICU) occupancy above 85 percent. Travel restrictions have been eased, with the country's ground borders reopening with Panama, Ecuador, Peru, and Brazil.

Under the national government's orders, except in those most affected municipalities, public and private events are now allowed and discotheques and clubs may reopen. All other businesses may operate contingent on following social distancing measures and enforcing the use of protective facemasks. In municipalities where occupancy levels in intensive care units are above 85 percent, public and private events remain banned and clubs and discotheques must remain closed. In these areas, authorities may implement stricter business measures as long as they do not affect operations of hotels, food establishments, and parks.

While authorities have lifted nightly curfews in multiple major cities and departments, including in Barranquilla, Cali, and Santander Department, some local and regional authorities continue to impose certain additional restrictions and curfews within their jurisdictions, including the following:

Bogota: A nightly 23:00-04:00 curfew remains in place; most businesses must close by 22:00. Starting June 8, the nightly curfew will be lifted and multiple business restrictions eased; bars and restaurants will be required to close by 01:00.
Medellin: A nightly 00:01-05:00 curfew will remain in place until the morning of June 8. All restrictions and curfews will be lifted June 8.

International Travel Restrictions
Authorities have suspended travel from India due to concerns regarding COVID-19 variants. Entry to Colombia is prohibited for individuals who have been in or traveled to India within the previous 14 days, except for Colombian citizens, residents, and other limited authorized travelers. Travelers arriving from India or other countries must present a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR test taken no more than 96 hours before departure for Colombia upon entry, self-isolate for 14 days, and may be subject to an additional PCR test within 24 hours after arrival.

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 to and from Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Curacao, Panama, Peru, and the US. Colombia's land, river, and sea borders with Panama, Ecuador, Peru, and Brazil have reopened, while the closure of the country's borders with Venezuela has been extended through at least September 1.

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.