A curfew and dry law in Medellín and Antioquia was during Semana Santa and is extended to June 9 with nightly curfews due to an increase in ICU occupancy in Medellín and Antioquia.
The curfew and dry law has been extended multiple times and for over two months included some long weekend curfews.
Also, Pico y Cedula returned to Medellín and the rest of Antioquia starting on March 25 until May 24, which only applies to commercial activities like grocery stores and going to the bank and does not apply to transportation like using the Medellín metro and does not apply to restaurants, churches or pharmacies.
According to El Colombiano on April 11, it was announced there will a curfew for over three days from April 15 at 8 pm until April 19 at 5 am in Medellín and all of Antioquia.
According to El Colombiano on April 17, it was announced there will another curfew for over three days from April 22 at 8 pm until April 26 at 5 am in Medellín and all of Antioquia. For several more weeks the curfews were extended in Medellín and Antioquia.
According to El Colombiano on May 1, it was announced that the curfew starting at noon on May 1 until 5 am on Monday May 3 is now stricter with fewer exceptions and practically restricts any mobilization of people in Antioquia. This was due to continued violent protests.
According to El Colombiano on May 3, it was announced that curfews are extended with nightly curfews at 8 pm resuming on May 4 until Thursday May 7. And there is a weekend curfew from 5 pm on Friday, May 8 to 5 am on Monday May 10.
According to El Colombiano on May 9, it was announced that curfews are extended with nightly curfews at 10 pm starting on May 10 until 5 am the next day. This is until May 17 and there will be no weekend curfew next weekend. Also, Pico y Cedula returns to even/odd.
According to Minuto30 on May 17, it was announced that curfew are extended another week with nightly curfews continuing from 10 pm until 5 am the next day. And there will be no weekend curfew next weekend. Also, Pico y Cedula continues even/odd.
According to Minuto30 on May 24, it was announced that curfew are extended another week with nightly curfews starting on May 25 from midnight until 5 am the next day. And there will be no weekend curfew next weekend. Also, there will not longer be Pico y Cedula, starting on May 25.
According to Minuto30 on May 31, it was announced that curfew are extended another week with nightly curfews starting on June 1 from midnight until 5 am the next day. And there will be no weekend curfew next weekend. Also, there continues to be no Pico y Cedula shopping restriction.
According to the Antioquia Government Twitter this changed again for Antioquia including Medellín for curfews starting on June 2 from midnight to 5 am.
According to El Tiempo, Medellín will have not restrictions. And the restrictions in Antioquia ended on June 9 at 5 am according to Conexión Sur.
Nightly Curfew and Dry Law in Antioquia from March 25 to June 9
The following are the curfew hours in Medellín and Antioquia.
- March 25 – midnight to 5 am
- March 26 – midnight to 5 am
- March 27 – midnight to 5 am
- March 28 – midnight to 5 am
- March 29 – midnight to 5 am
- March 30 – midnight to 5 am
- March 31 – 5 pm to 5 am
- April 1 – 5 pm to 5 am
- April 2 – 5 pm to 5 am
- April 3 – 5 pm to 5 am
- April 4 – 5 pm to 5 am
- April 5 – 6 pm to 5 am in Medellín and the Aburrá Valley + nine other municipalities, 8 pm to 5 am in the rest of Antioquia
- April 6 – 6 pm to 5 am in Medellín and the Aburrá Valley + nine other municipalities, 8 pm to 5 am in the rest of Antioquia
- April 7 – 6 pm to 5 am in Medellín and the Aburrá Valley + nine other municipalities, 8 pm to 5 am in the rest of Antioquia
- April 8 – 8 pm to 5 am April 12 in Medellín and the Aburrá Valley + eight other municipalities, 8 pm to 5 am in the rest of Antioquia
- April 9 – 24 hour curfew in Medellín and the Aburrá Valley + nine other municipalities, 8 pm to 5 am in the rest of Antioquia
- April 10 – 24 hour curfew in Medellín and the Aburrá Valley + eight other municipalities, 8 pm to 5 am in the rest of Antioquia
- April 11 – 24 hour curfew and until April 12 at 5 am in Medellín and the Aburrá Valley + eight other municipalities, 8 pm to 5 am in the rest of Antioquia
- April 12 – 8 pm to 5 am in Medellín and the rest of Antioquia
- April 13 – 8 pm to 5 am in Medellín and the rest of Antioquia
- April 14 – 8 pm to 5 am in Medellín and the rest of Antioquia
- April 15 – 8 pm to 5 am on April 19 in Medellín and the rest of Antioquia
- April 16 – 24 hour curfew in Medellín and the rest of Antioquia
- April 17 – 24 hour curfew in Medellín and the rest of Antioquia
- April 18 – 24 hour curfew and until 4am on April 19 in Medellín and the rest of Antioquia
- April 19 – 8 pm to 5 am in Medellín and the rest of Antioquia
- April 20 – 8 pm to 5 am in Medellín and the rest of Antioquia
- April 21 – 8 pm to 5 am in Medellín and the rest of Antioquia
- April 22 – 8 pm to 5 am on April 26 in Medellín and the rest of Antioquia
- April 23 – 24 hour curfew in Medellín and the rest of Antioquia
- April 24 – 24 hour curfew in Medellín and the rest of Antioquia
- April 25 – 24 hour curfew and until 5 am on April 26 in Medellín and the rest of Antioquia
- April 26 – 8 pm to 5 am in Medellín and the Aburrá Valley, in other parts of Antioquia starts at 5:00 pm
- April 27 – 8 pm to 5 am in Medellín and the Aburrá Valley, in other parts of Antioquia starts at 5:00 pm
- April 28 – 8 pm to 5 am in Medellín and the Aburrá Valley, in other parts of Antioquia starts at 5:00 pm
- April 29 – 8 pm to 5 am on May 3 in Medellín and the Aburrá Valley, in other parts of Antioquia starts at 5:00 pm
- April 30 – 24 hour curfew in Medellín and the Aburrá Valley
- May 1 – 24 hour curfew in Medellín and the Aburrá Valle
- May 2 – 24 hour curfew until 5 am on May 3 in Medellín and the Aburrá Valle
- May 3 – curfew until 5 am in Medellín and the Aburrá Valley
- May 4 – 8 pm to 5 am in Medellín and the rest of Antioquia
- May 5 – 8 pm to 5 am in Medellín and the rest of Antioquia
- May 6 – 8 pm to 5 am in Medellín and the rest of Antioquia
- May 7 – 8 pm to 5 am on May 10 in Medellín and the rest of Antioquia
- May 8 – 24 hour curfew in Medellín and the rest of Antioquia
- May 9 – 24 hour curfew in Medellín and the rest of Antioquia
- May 10 – 10 pm to 5 am in Medellín and the rest of Antioquia
- May 11 – 10 pm to 5 am in Medellín and the rest of Antioquia
- May 12 – 10 pm to 5 am in Medellín and the rest of Antioquia
- May 13 – 10 pm to 5 am in Medellín and the rest of Antioquia
- May 14 – 10 pm to 5 am in Medellín and the rest of Antioquia
- May 15 – 10 pm to 5 am in Medellín and the rest of Antioquia
- May 16 – 10 pm to 5 am in Medellín and the rest of Antioquia
- May 17 – 10 pm to 5 am in Medellín and the rest of Antioquia
- May 18 – 10 pm to 5 am in Medellín and the rest of Antioquia
- May 19 – 10 pm to 5 am in Medellín and the rest of Antioquia
- May 20 – 10 pm to 5 am in Medellín and the rest of Antioquia
- May 21 – 10 pm to 5 am in Medellín and the rest of Antioquia
- May 22 – 10 pm to 5 am in Medellín and the rest of Antioquia
- May 23 – 10 pm to 5 am in Medellín and the rest of Antioquia
- May 24 – 10 pm to 5 am in Medellín and the rest of Antioquia
- May 25 – Midnight until 5 am in Medellín and Antioquia
- May 26 – Midnight until 5 am in Medellín and Antioquia
- May 27 – Midnight until 5 am in Medellín and Antioquia
- May 28 – Midnight until 5 am in Medellín and Antioquia
- May 29 – Midnight until 5 am in Medellín and Antioquia
- May 30 – Midnight until 5 am in Medellín and Antioquia
- May 31 – Midnight until 5 am in Medellín and Antioquia
- June 1 – Midnight until 5 am in Antioquia, not including Medellín
- June 2 – Midnight until 5 am in Antioquia and Medellín
- June 3 – Midnight until 5 am in Antioquia and Medellín
- June 4 – Midnight until 5 am in Medellín and Antioquia
- June 5 –Midnight until 5 am in Medellín and Antioquia
- June 6 – Midnight until 5 am in Medellín and Antioquia
- June 7 – Midnight until 5 am in Medellín and Antioquia
- June 8 – Midnight until 5 am in Antioquia, not including Medellín
- June 9 – Until 5 am on the 9th in Antioquia, not including Medellín
Exceptions to the Weekend Curfews
There were exceptions to the past weekend curfews includes going to/from the airport for flights and walking a dog. Note: there a no longer weekend curfews, just nightly curfews that ended in the morning on June 9.
In addition, you were not permitted to go out for exercise during these curfews. There is an exception only in Sabaneta where outside exercise if permitted.
Also exempt from the weekend curfews were trips to medical and veterinary emergencies, as well as people who are scheduled for COVID-19 vaccination. Patients may attend COVID-19 vaccinations with another person.
Restaurants could be open for delivery services. To verify the exception, a worker must present evidence (documentation) that indicates the work activity to be carried out or the emergency situation to be addressed.
Circulation through national and departmental roads is allowed, Likewise, the airports will remain open during the curfew.
El Colombiano has an article about the curfew exceptions (in Spanish) with the official decree. But the exceptions were reduced from May 1 at noon to May 3 at 5 am according to El Colombiano.
From May 1 at noon to May 3 at 5 am, there were only curfew exceptions for: health sector personnel for COVID-19 care and hospital services; members of the Military and police; security and justice agencies; agents of the public ministry such as the Ombudsman’s Office, the Attorney General’s Office and the municipal authorities; cases of force majeure and acts of God; personnel of public service companies essential for their guarantee.
Also, deliveries are exempt from the curfew measure and scheduled land and air travel may take place.
Pico y Cedula shopping restrictions
Pico y Cedula Returns in Medellín and Antioquia
Starting on March 25, Pico y Cedula returns to Medellín and Antioquia and was extended to May 24 but ended on May 25, which restricted shopping days based on the last digit of your ID. The Pico y Cedula restriction applies for going to grocery shops, small tiendas and also includes banking and notary services.
If your ID ends with an even number (0, 2, 4, 6, 8) you can go out shopping on even days of the week. And if your ID ends with an odd number (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) you can go out on odd days of the week. However, this restriction does not apply to going to restaurants, churches or pharmacies or using transportation.
During the weekend curfews, one per per household can go out on Pico y Cedula days for essential goods like groceries and at pharmacies.
However on April 13, 14 and 15, Pico y Cedula in Medellín and Antioquia will change for these three days:
- April 13 – IDs ending in 0, 1, 2 and 3
- April 14 – IDs ending in 4, 5 and 6
- April 15 – IDs ending in 7, 8 and 9
On April 16, 17 and 18, Pico y Cedula returns to even/odd.
And on April 19 to 22, Pico y Cedula in Medellín and Antioquia will change for these days to:
- April 19 – IDs ending in 0 and 1
- April 20 – IDs ending in 2, 3 and 4
- April 21 – IDs ending in 5, 6 and 7
- April 22 – IDs ending in 8 and 9
On April 23, Pico y Cedula returns to even/odd.
And on April 19 to 22, Pico y Cedula in Medellín and Antioquia will change for these days to:
- April 26 – IDs ending in 0 and 1
- April 27 – IDs ending in 2, 3 and 4
- April 28 – IDs ending in 5, 6 and 7
- April 29 – IDs ending in 8 and 9
On April 30, Pico y Cedula returns to even/odd with no Pico y Cedula on May 3.
And on May 4 to 9, Pico y Cedula in Medellín and Antioquia will change for these days to:
- May 4: IDs ending in 0 and 1
- May 5: IDs ending in 2 and 3
- May 6: IDs ending in 4 and 5
- May 7: IDs ending in 6 and 7
- May 8: IDs ending in 8 and 9
- May 9: IDs ending in 0 and 1
- May 10: IDs ending in 2 and 3
Starting on May 11, Pico y Cedula returns to even/odd until May 24, Starting on May 25 Pico y Cedula ends.
What Preventative Measures Could 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 holidays and weekends – likely
- 4/3 – 4 days working and 3 days quarantine weekly – possible
- Lockdowns of specific neighborhoods – possible
- National quarantine – unlikely
- Pico y cedula – likely
- Closing airports – very unlikely
The curfew and dry law measures being taken at the end of March and to the end of May in Medellín and Antioquia demonstrate that these are the most likely preventative measures to be taken in the future. Also, Medellín and Antioquia are resuming the Pico y Cedula restriction that restricts shopping days based on the last digit of your cedula.
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 much as we can due to this being a fast-moving topic:
- Nightly Curfew and Dry Law in Medellín and Antioquia from March 25 to April 5
- COVID-19 Vaccinations in Colombia Start on February 17
- PCR Test: How to Get a COVID-19 Test in Medellín
- Nightly Curfews in January in Medellin and Antioquia Start on January 6
- Nightly Curfew in Medellín For Christmas and New Year’s Holidays
- 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: Nightly Curfew and Dry Law in Medellín and Antioquia from March 25 to Jun 7
There have been nightly curfews in Antioquia from March 25 and extended many times to June 9.
Coronavirus cases have been increasing in Medellín and Antioquia over the few weeks resulting in increased ICU occupancy.
The bottom line is we believe that ICU occupancy is the key metric to watch to determine if Medellín and Antioquia will take additional COVID-19 preventive measures. We update our article about the coronavirus status in Colombia daily, which includes the ICU occupancy in Antioquia.
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Editors note: updated on March 30, 2021 with information that the nightly curfew in Medellín and Antioquia from March 31 to April 5 is from 5 pm to 5 am.
Editors note: updated on April 3, 2021 with information that the nightly curfew in Medellín and Antioquia is extended to April 9.
Editors note: updated on April 4, 2021 with information that the nightly curfew in Medellín and Antioquia is extended to April 19.
Editors note: updated on April 7, 2021 with information that there is now curfew in Medellín and the Aburrá valley from 8 pm on April 8 to 5 am on April 12.
Editors note: updated on April 11, 2021 with information that there is a repeat of the long weekend curfew in Medellín and Antioquia from 8 pm on April 15 to 5 am on April 19.
Editors note: updated on April 16, 2021 with more details about the weekend curfew exceptions.
Editors note: updated on April 17, 2021 with information there is a repeat of the long weekend curfew in Medellín and Antioquia from 8 pm on April 22 to 5 am on April 26.
Editors note: updated on April 24, 2021 with information there is a repeat of the long weekend curfew in Medellín and Antioquia from 8 pm on April 29 to 5 am on May 3.
Editors note: updated on May 1, 2021 with information that the weekend curfew in Medellín and Antioquia will become more strict from May 1 at noon until May 3 at 5 am.
Editors note: updated on May 2, 2021 with information that there is no Pico y Cedula on May 3 in Medellín and Antioquia.
Editors note: updated on May 3, 2021 with information there that nightly and weekend curfews are extended to May 10 in Medellín and Antioquia. Also, there is a new Pico y Cedula schedule for May 4 to May 10.
Editors note: updated on May 9, 2021 with information that nightly curfews are extended to May 17 in Medellín and Antioquia from 10 pm to 5 am and Pico y Cedula returns to even/odd.
Editors note: updated on May 19, 2021 with information that nightly curfews from 10 pm to 5 am are extended for another week in Medellín and Antioquia.
Editors note: updated on May 24, 2021 with information that starting on May 25, nightly curfews will be from midnight to 5 am each night and are extended for another week in Medellín and Antioquia.
Editors note: updated on June 1, 2021 with information that the nightly curfews will be from midnight to 5 am each night and are extended for another week in Medellín and Antioquia.
Editors note: updated on June 1, 2021 with information that there will be no nightly curfews in Medellín until June 8.
Editors note: updated again on June 3, 2021 with information that the curfews in Antioquia are now from 10 pm to 5 am.
Editors note: updated on June 6, 2021 with information that the curfew from Midnight to 5 am applies in Medellín over the holiday weekend but ends on June 8.