Covid-19: Colombia adopts measures to restrict disease spread at year-end

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Ministry of Health and Social Protection has just ratified measures in line with the current sanitary emergency derived from Covid-19 and according to the current epidemiological behavior of the pandemic.

Although improvements have been reported in the indicators and the last month, a significant increase in the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases has been evidenced, and a positivity percentage above 10% in some country regions.

Under Decree 1614 of 2021, the current epidemiological situation is taken into account and it is established that, at the departmental level, some regions show a sustained increase in the number of cases and the percentage of positivity; therefore, despite the vaccination coverage achieved, these increases in the number of cases observed could lead to new increases in mortality and hospitalization.

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In view of this current scenario, the national government has decided to ratify the measure of Selective Isolation, Responsible Individual Distancing and Safe Economic Reactivation, which will be in force within the framework of the sanitary emergency until February 28, 2022.

Thus, all persons in the national territory must comply with the biosecurity protocols established to reduce the spread of the pandemic and contagion, such as the correct and permanent use of masks, constant hand washing with soap and water, among other measures.

Likewise, citizens should follow the instructions adopted by national entities and ministries to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

It should be noted that, among the provisions of the administrative act, it is established that no city or municipality may decree a curfew or hourly restrictions of mobility as a sanitary measure to mitigate Covid-19, except with the permission of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection and with the due authorization of the Ministry of Labor.

Additionally, within the framework of the measure, no municipality with UCI occupancy higher than 85% will be able to enable spaces or activities such as public or private events involving massive attendance of people.

On the other hand, hotels, gastronomic establishments and parks will not be included in the measure in the event that “pico y cédula” is implemented. Finally, it is still recommended that public and private sector entities establish modalities such as teleworking, remote wor,k, or work at home to meet labor needs.