Colombia: Authorities leave COVID-19 restrictions mostly unchanged as of Feb. 8 /update 43

Event

As of Feb. 8, COVID-19-related travel and domestic restrictions in Colombia remain largely unchanged.

Domestic Measures
All persons aged 12 years and older must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to enter certain types of businesses, including restaurants, clubs, museums, and cinemas, or attend mass events, such as concerts and sports matches.

In municipalities where hospital intensive care units (ICU) are more than 85 percent full, concerts, festivals, and other similar large functions are prohibited. Elsewhere, mass events can occur at 25 percent of the venue's capacity, unless 70 percent or more of the population is vaccinated, in which case venues may host events up to 50 percent of their capacity.

All individuals must also wear facemasks in indoor public settings and observe social distancing whenever possible.

International Travel Restrictions
All visitors aged 18 and older must present proof of full vaccination to enter Colombia. The government generally defines full vaccination as having received both injections of an accepted two-dose vaccine, or one injection of the single-dose Janssen/Johnson and Johnson vaccine. Foreign visitors who are only partially vaccinated or have been fully vaccinated less than 14 days prior to entry must also present a negative result from a PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to travel. Colombian nationals, permanent residents, and diplomats who do not meet the vaccination requirements may also enter the country with a negative result from a PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to travel. Foreign visitors who are not vaccinated will be denied entry.

All travelers wishing to enter Colombia need to complete the "Check-Mig" online form between 24 hours and one hour before departure; they must also comply with regulations associated with contact tracing upon arrival. Travelers are also required to complete the online form before leaving Colombia. Individuals who are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, have recently tested positive for the virus, or have been in close contact with a person with COVID-19 will not be allowed to enter the country. All travelers over the age of two must wear a protective facemask during their flight and at the airport.

Approved international commercial passenger flights are operating at the nation's main airports. Air service is available between Colombia and multiple nations in the Americas and Europe. Colombia's land, river, and maritime borders with Panama, Ecuador, Peru, and Brazil are open, although cross-border movement may be limited by the other governments' restrictions.

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.

Resources

World Health Organization (WHO)
Government COVID-19 Updates (Spanish)
Check-Mig Online Form (Spanish)
Government of Bogota - COVID-19 Updates (Spanish)