A nightly curfew in Antioquia starts on December 13 to December 20 at night for most of Antioquia but not yet Medellín to reduce the spread of coronavirus.
The Governor of Antioquia, Aníbal Gaviria, announced on December 10 that together with other mayors of the department they made the decision to carry out a curfew, every night, starting on December 11 until next month on January 3 according to Minuto30.
But later in the day on December 11 the dates for the curfew were changed to start on Sunday, December 13, to December 20 according to Minuto30.
As explained by the governor, this toque de queda (curfew) measure will cover all the municipalities of the Oriente, Suroeste, Occidente, Norte, Nordeste, Bajo Cauca and Magdalena Medio sub-regions of Antioquia.
At the moment a curfew is ruled out for Urabá and for the Aburrá Valley, where Medellín is located. The Governor of Antioquia was reportedly in discussion with the 10 mayors of the Aburrá Valley but an agreement hasn’t yet been reached for measures for the Aburrá Valley.
EDITOR NOTE: on December 17, according to El Colombiano, the Mayor of Medellín announced a curfew for Medellín on December 24, 25, 26 and 31 and January 1 and 2 starting at midnight each day until 6 am the next day.
Details of the Curfews in Antioquia
This preventative measure restricts the mobility of all inhabitants in the Oriente, Suroeste, Occidente, Norte, Nordeste, Bajo Cauca and Magdalena Medio sub-regions of Antioquia
The curfew starts on Sunday, December 13, from midnight (00 hours) to 6:00 am the next day, every day, until December 20.
In Medellín, there is a curfew on December 24, 25, 26 and 31 and January 1 and 2 starting at midnight each day until 6 am the next day.
Also, there are curfews in Sabaneta and La Estrella, which have a curfew for minors. There is a toque de queda (curfew) in Sabaneta for under-age minors from December 10 to January 11, 2021, between 11:00 pm to 6:00 am daily according to El Colombiano.
In addition, there is a curfew in La Estrella for under-age minors from December 10 to January 11, 2021, between 12:00 pm to 6:00 am daily. And according to Minuto30, the Bello mayor announced there will be no curfew in Bello. And Girardota announced it will not have a curfew.
Why is Antioquia Doing a Curfew?
Antioquia has been experiencing a drop in coronavirus cases over the past few day but ICU occupation in Antioquia hit 78.32 percent on December 10
On December 10, Antioquia reported 1,271 new coronavirus cases and reached a total of 225,712 cases.
Also on December 10, Antioquia had a total of 1,241 ICUs. As of December 10, 972 ICUs were occupied with 307 confirmed patients with COVID-19, 114 suspected with COVID-19 and 551 that are not COVID-19. So, the occupation of ICUs on December 10 in Antioquia hit 78.32 percent.
You will see everyone wearing masks and your temperature will be checked when entering malls and some other stores.
Previous Measures Over the Halloween Weekend
With coronavirus cases increasing in Medellín and Antioquia, the following preventative measure were put in place over the Halloween weekend that were more restrictive:
Curfew for Minors (under 18-years old) over Halloween Weekend
There was a curfew in Medellín and the Aburrá Valley and the entire Antioquia department for minors from Friday, October 30 at 6 pm, until Monday, November 2 at 6 pm. So, no minors could be on the streets for these days over the Halloween weekend.
Curfew for Adults (18-years old or older) over Halloween Weekend
Also, there was curfew for adults in Medellín and the Aburrá Valley and the entire Antioquia department from Friday, October 30, until Monday, November 1, from 10 pm each day until 6 am the following day:
- From 10 pm on Friday, October 30, to 6 am on October 31
- From 10 pm on Saturday, October 31, to 6 am on November 1
- From 10 pm on Sunday, November 1, to 6 am on November 2
Dry Law over Halloween Weekend
In addition, there is a dry law (ley seca) over the Halloween weekend in Medellín, the Aburrá Valley and Antioquia from October 30 at 6 pm until November 2 at 11:59 pm.
So, the preventative measures over the last holiday weekend (Halloween weekend) were somewhat stricter than the preventative measures in Antioquia in December.
What Preventative Measures Could Antioquia and Medellín Use
If ICU occupancy continues to increase due to coronavirus cases increase, it is very likely that Antioquia and Medellín will take preventative measures.
We previously looked at seven preventative measures used in the past and the likelihood of whether they will be used again.
- Curfews – very likely
- Dry law on weekends – very likely
- 4/3 – 4 days working and 3 days quarantine weekly – possible
- Lockdowns of specific neighborhoods – possible
- National quarantine – unlikely
- Pico y cedula – unlikely
- Closing airports – very unlikely
The simple curfew measures being taken in December demonstrate that is one of the most likely preventative measures to be taken in the future.
Computer generated image of COVID-19, photo by Felipe Esquivel Reed
Medellin Guru’s Coronavirus Series
Medellin Guru has a series of articles about the coronavirus pandemic and the impacts in Colombia: Also, these articles are being kept up-to-date, as this is a fast-moving topic:
- Colombia is Buying 10 Million Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine from Pfizer
- Does Colombia Require a COVID-19 Test for International Travelers?
- 8 Reasons Why Colombia is Unlikely to Return to a Quarantine
- Coronavirus Cases Increase in Medellín: What Happens Next?
- New Normal in Medellín: Medellín is Returning to Normal
- Will the Quarantine Return to Colombia? What if Cases Increase?
- New Normal in Medellín: Medellín is Returning to Normal
- Colombia’s Quarantine Ends on September 1: New Phase Starts
- Tourism Impact of Coronavirus: Colombia Starts to Reactivate Tourism
- Economy Impacts in Colombia Due to Extended Quarantine
- Epicenter of Coronavirus in Colombia: Bogotá is the Epicenter
- Medellín Plans the Total Reopening of Economic Activities in the City
- When Will the Quarantine End in Colombia? On September 1?
- Humanitarian Flights from Colombia to the U.S. and Other Countries
- Beware of Fake News in Colombia About Coronavirus and Quarantines
- Reopening Gymnasiums, Churches and Movie Theaters in Colombia
- Reopening Amusement Parks, Zoos and Nature Reserves in Colombia
- Medellín Starts Free COVID-19 Tests on the Medellín Metro
- New COVID-19 Preventive Measures in Medellín to Contain the Pandemic
- Penalties for Violating the Quarantine in Medellín are Stiff
- COVID-19 Orange Alert in Bogotá: New Lockdowns in Bogotá
- Medellín Starts to Lift the Quarantine: Enters Smart Isolation Phase
- Colombia Started to Lift the Quarantine – What Does this Mean?
- Coronavirus: When Will the Quarantine Be Lifted in Colombia?
- Colombia Starts to Lift the Quarantine in COVID-19 Free Areas
- Colombia Quarantine: Nationwide Quarantine Extended to September 1
- Coronavirus in Colombia: Myth vs Reality – Current Status
- Coronavirus Hospitalization in Colombia: Myth vs Reality
- Are Medellín and Antioquia Winning the Coronavirus Battle?
- 23 Cities with a Major Increase in Coronavirus Cases in Colombia
- Colombia Coronavirus Death Rate: What are the Chances of Dying?
- Coronavirus: When Will Things Return to Normal in Colombia?
- COVID-19 Testing in Colombia: Realty About Coronavirus Testing
- Life as an Expat: During Medellín’s Coronavirus Quarantine
- Colombian Visa Process Changes: Due to Quarantine and Coronavirus
- Medellín Coronavirus Closures – What is Closed in Medellín?
- Pico y Cedula: A Restriction for Grocery Shopping in the Aburrá Valley During the Quarantine
- Pico y Cedula in Colombia: Which is Strictest Out of 5 Largest Cities?
- Medellín Quarantine Starts on March 20 for Four Days
The Bottom Line: Curfew in Antioquia Starts Tonight Until January
Antioquia will have a nightly curfew starting on December 13 at midnight until 6:00 am each day until December 20.
Also in Medellín, there is a curfew on December 24, 25, 26 and 31 and January 1 and 2 starting at midnight each day until 6 am the next day.
Antioquia has been taking actions to add ICU beds and reduce ICU occupancy with a goal to get to 1,400 ICUs. But ICU occupancy in Antioquia increased to 78.32 percent on December 10. So, a nightly curfew preventative measure has been established starting on December 11 until December 20 in Antioquia but could be extended.
This curfew restriction is only late at night. During the day, normal activities can continue.
The bottom line is we believe that ICU occupancy is the key metric to watch to determine if Medellín and Antioquia takes COVID-19 preventive measures. We update our popular article about coronavirus hospitalization in Colombia weekly with updates on ICU utilization.
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Editors note: updated on December 11, 2020 with new date for the curfew in Antioquia, which are changed to December 11 to December 20.
Editors note: updated on December 12, 2020 with information about a curfew for minors in La Estrella.
Editors note: updated on December 17, 2020 with information about a curfew in Medellín.