Colombia: COVID-19 restrictions remain unchanged since early June as of June 24 /update 35

As of June 24, Colombia maintains same COVID-19-related travel and business restrictions as have been in place since early June.

Event

As of June 24, authorities in Colombia have kept nationwide COVID-19-related restrictions generally unchanged since early June.

Under the national government's orders, except in the municipalities most impacted by COVID-19, public and private events are allowed and discotheques and clubs may open. 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, local and regional authorities may implement stricter business measures as long as they do not affect operations of hotels, food establishments, and parks.

Most local governments had lifted their most stringent COVID-19 restrictions by early June despite high rates of COVID-19-related hospitalizations, including in Bogota, Medellin, and Cali. However, some local governments continue to maintain significant restrictions, including that of Santander Department, where authorities have imposed a 22:00-05:00 nightly curfew through July 6 and a ban on gatherings of more than 50 people. Similarly, in Cartagena, a 22:00-05:00 nightly curfew is slated to remain in place through at least July 1; businesses must close daily by 21:00.

International Travel Restrictions
Authorities have banned travelers who have been in India in the previous 14 days from entering Colombia until at least June 30, except for Colombian citizens, residents, and other limited authorized travelers. Travelers permitted to arrive from India must present a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR test taken no more than 96 hours before departure for Colombia upon entry and self-isolate for 14 days.

Otherwise, all travelers wishing to enter Colombia 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 are also required to complete the online form before leaving Colombia. Individuals exhibiting 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.

Authorities have also reopened the borders with Venezuela, but cross-border travelers are subject to certain restrictions. Individuals can only cross the border on certain dates as determined by the last digit of their identification card number: on odd-numbered dates, those with identification cards ending in 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 are permitted to cross, while on even-numbered dates, those with identification cards ending in 2, 4, 6, 8, and 0 may cross. Additionally, the hours during which border crossings are open are limited; most border crossings are open at least 08:00-16:00.

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.