Despite the fact that the National Government will maintain the health emergency in Colombia for at least two more months due to the covid-19 pandemic, the country begins a new stage in protection against the disease, in which it will gradually dismantle the measures adopted to contain the virus, in its purpose of normalizing the lives of Colombians, although maintaining and promoting individual prevention.
(End of the use of masks in closed spaces in some municipalities).
This new stage begins with the elimination of the mandatory use of masks in closed places as of May 1, in municipalities that have more than 70% of their population fully vaccinated against covid-19.
Currently, the use of masks in open places is not required, which constitutes one of the main changes taken by the Government.
In addition, the vaccination card will not be required in mass and leisure activities, a decision that has been very well received by businesses, which will be exempt from requesting the certificate.
The card will no longer be required in public and private events of a massive nature, a measure that will also be applied in other places such as bars, gastrobars, museums, libraries and cinemas.
The Sustainable Selective Isolation, Tracking and Testing (PRASS) method will also no longer be implemented.
IN THE CASE OF TRAVELERS
As for international travelers, The Government will request that those who enter the country have the complete vaccination schedule.
However, those who do not have it or are not vaccinated will require a negative PCR test that is not longer than 72 hours.
An antigen test that does not exceed 48 hours may also be presented.
REPORTS AND EXCEPTIONS
In addition, the National Government had announced last week that the report on covid infections and deaths in Colombia will stop being done daily and will be weekly, so that Colombians have access to the case registry.
(This was what the trade said about the decision to eliminate the use of face masks).
Likewise, exceptions to the elimination of the mandatory use of masks in closed places were determined in 4 cases: health service centers, nursing homes, transportation and closed spaces within educational facilities.
WHY KEEP THE SANITARY EMERGENCY?
Although in this new stage there are significant changes, it is necessary to take other measures and not let our guard down, which is why it will be extended, from May 1 to June 30.the health emergency in the national territory, which allows the Government to take extraordinary measures if necessary.
The last time this measure was extended was last February, when a decree was issued to extend it until April 30.
President Iván Duque explained that all these measures are taken based on the progress of the National Vaccination Plan.
“We have more than 83% of Colombians with at least one dose, and we are just a few days away from reaching 70% of the country with a double dose,” he explained.
According to the president, of the 50 million Colombians, more than 11.2 million also have a booster dose. The coronavirus pandemic has so far left 6,091,343 infections in the country and 139,778 deaths, according to figures from the Ministry of Health.
For his part, for the Minister of Health, Fernando Ruiz, the new measures mean a moment of transition.
“The extension of the health emergency and the reason why it is not eliminated is because a very short time has elapsed between the reduced number of cases, infections and deaths, so we have to wait a while,” he explained.
For this reason, Ruiz Gómez explained that there is still uncertainty regarding covid-19, and although there have been six weeks of low numbers, this is a short period in epidemiological terms. “compared to what it means to have a margin of safety in what may happen in the immediate future”.
The portfolio manager recalled that the different subvariants of Ómicron already circulate in Colombia, which makes it easier for the numbers of low infections to occur in such an environment.
“But it is prudent to wait and keep a continuous watch on the situation,” he said.
BRIEFCASE
