Medellín’s mayor announced a strict curfew in Medellín and pico y cedula resumes for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays as preventative measures to reduce the spread of coronavirus.
On December 21, according to El Tiempo, the Mayor of Medellín announced a curfew on Twitter for Medellín starting on December 24 at 8 pm until December 26 at 6 am and starting on December 31 at 8 pm until January 2 at 6 am.
Also, on December 21, according to Minuto30, the Governor of Antioquia announced a nightly curfew for all of Antioquia that starts on December 22 at midnight until January 3 but with longer curfews for December 24 to 26 and December 31 to January 2.
Editor Note on December 30 – But for New Years this curfew was extended to January 3 for Medellín and the Aburrá Valley and the Oriente, Suroeste and Occidente regions of Antiioquia according to El Colombiano.
You will NOT be able to see Medellín’s Christmas lights, as Medellín’s Christmas lights will be suspended until January 3. But the Envigado Christmas lights and Bello Christmas lights are still on.
Also, Medellín will resume Pico y Cedula starting on December 22, which restricts shopping days based on the last digit of your ID. The Pico y Cedula restriction applies for going to grocery shops, malls, small tiendas, pharmacies and also includes banking and notary services.
Starting on December 22, if your ID ends with an even number (0, 2, 4, 6, 8) you can go out on even days of the week for shopping. And if your ID ends with an odd number (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) you can go out on odd days of the week for shopping.
You will not be able to enjoy Medellín’s world-class christmas lights, as the Christmas lights are suspended until January 3
Nightly Curfew in Medellín and Antioquia for Christmas and New Year’s – Starts on Dec. 22
Medellín and Antioquia will have a strict nightly curfew starting on December 22 and over the Christmas and New Year’s holidays on the following days:
- December 22 – midnight to 6 am
- December 23 – midnight to 6 am
- December 24 – 8 pm to 6 am on December 26
- December 25 – ALL DAY (24 hours) [to 6 am on December 26]
- December 26 – midnight to 6 am
- December 27 – midnight to 6 am
- December 28 – midnight to 6 am
- December 29 – midnight to 6 am
- December 30 – midnight to 6 am
- December 31 – 8 pm to 6 am on January 3
- January 1 – ALL DAY (24 hours)
- January 2 – ALL DAY (24 hours) [to 6 am on January 3]
- January 3 – midnight to 6 am
Also, Medellín will resume Pico y Cedula starts on December 22, which restricts shopping days based on the last digit of your ID.. The Pico y Cedula restriction applies for going to grocery shops, malls, small tiendas, pharmacies and also includes banking and notary services.
Starting on December 22, 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. The new Pico y Cedula is until January 4 according to El Colombiano but could be extended.
In addition there is a ban on the sale of alcohol in bars in restaurants starting at 10 pm nightly but this ban ends on December 21 but could be extended.
Medellín Coronavirus Overview on Dec. 20
The following are coronavirus statistics for Medellín on December 17 according to INS:
- 136,997 total cases
- 3,579 active cases
- 2,476 deaths
In addition, over 730,000 COVID-19 PCR tests have been performed in Antioquia by December 20 according to INS. And the ICU utilization in Antioquia was 82.7 percent on December 30.
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 was 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.
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 – possible
- Closing airports – very unlikely
The curfew measures being taken for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays in Medellín demonstrate that this is the most likely preventative measures to be taken in the future. Also, Medellín is 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 this is a fast-moving topic:
- 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
Alumbrados Sabaneta 2020: Photos of Christmas Lights in Sabaneta
The Bottom Line: Curfew in Medellín for Christmas and New Year’s Holidays
There is a strict curfew in Medellín and Antioquia for six days over the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. The curfew starts on December 24 at 8 pm until December 26 at 6 am and starts on December 31 at 6 pm until January 3 at 6 am.
Also, there are nightly curfews in Medellín and Antioquia starting on December 22 at midnight until 6 am until January 3.
In addition, Medellín will resume Pico y Cedula starting on December 22, which restricts shopping days based on the last digit of your ID,
These preventative measure over the holidays are stricter than the previous Halloween holiday weekend.
Coronavirus cases have been increasing in Medellín and Antioquia over the past month resulting in increased ICU occupancy. However, Antioquia has been taking actions to add ICU beds and reduce ICU occupancy.
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 20, 2020 with information about a curfew for Christmas and New Year’s in La Estrella.
Editors note: updated on December 21, 2020 with revised information about the curfew in Medellín for Christmas and New Year’s and the resumption of Pico y Cedula in Medellín.
Editors note: updated again on December 21, 2020 with information that the curfew is for all of Antioquia and a nightly curfew starts on December 22.
Editors note: updated on December 30, 2020 with information that the curfew for New Years in Medellín and the Aburrá Valley and Oriente, Suroeste and Occidente regions of Antioquia is extended to January 3.
Editors note: updated on December 31, 2020 with information that Pico y Cedula in Medellín is until January 4.
29 thoughts on “Nightly Curfew in Medellín For Christmas and New Year’s Holidays”
As an avid reader of your newsletter, I am also interested in the measures taken by Bogota, Cali, and Cartegena in regards to the curfew related to the Covid 19 pandemic.
We have an article about the holiday restrictions in the 5 biggest cities – https://medellinguru.com/holiday-covid-restrictions/
Published on December 23 and updated for Medellín but possibly some changes for other cities – https://medellinguru.com/holiday-covid-restrictions/.
Hello, I will arrive in Medellin airport on January 2 (arrival 7:30 pm). Will there be any transportation (taxis etc) available at the airport at that time?
Yes, taxis will be available.
Thank you so much
The “Pico y Cedula” will definately end on the 2nd of January at 6:00 AM as well, is that correct?
Pico y Cedula in Medellín is until December 31 according to this from the government – https://www.medellin.gov.co/irj/portal/medellin?NavigationTarget=contenido/8692-Pico-y-c%C3%A9dula-y-toque-de-queda-extendido-son-las-nuevas-medidas-para-Navidad-y-A%C3%B1o-Nuevo-en-Medell%C3%ADn
Update,, according to this (in Spanish), Pico y Cedula in Medellín will be until January 4 – https://www.elcolombiano.com/antioquia/toque-de-queda-para-ano-nuevo-en-medellin-y-antioquia-ID14358198
Does anyone know, if it is possible to travel durin the curfew (1.1.2021)? We actually were planning to leave Medellin and go to Manizales on that day. Any Info highly appreciated!
Yes, if you have a flight yes you can travel, just need to show ticket if stopped.
Is there a official reference to pico y cedula restrictions starting today that I can refer to on line. Gracias
Was posted on the Medellín Mayor’s Twitter with the link in our above article – https://twitter.com/QuinteroCalle/status/1341000569763356672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Will I be able to leave the hotel at all on the 25th? Such as taking a public transportation to Parque Arvi?
No, you can not leave your hotel, only for emergencies. I will stay in all day the 25th, order food via Rappi and watch movies/series….
Will Rappi be available though?
Yes, delivery services will be available.
Thank you, Jeff! Do you know if taxis will be running? I’m traveling to Medellin for Christmas and am concerned that there isn’t anything I can do to enjoy the city.
Yes, taxis are running and Pico y Cedula does not apply to movement, it is important to clarify that the Pico y Cedula measure does NOT restrict circulation in any way, citizens may move from one municipality to another on any of the days that this measure applies.
See in Spanish – https://www.elcolombiano.com/antioquia/como-funcionara-el-pico-y-cedula-y-los-toques-de-queda-en-medellin-y-antioquia-FE14321747
What about 25th of December curfew? Does it mean, for example, I could take a subway to Parque Arvi?
Dec. 25 is a curfew all day long. So, you can’t leave the house. And Parque Arvi will be closed as it’s a national holiday.
During curfew hours you are not supposed to be outside the house.
A curfew during Xmas en NYE….. Has the government here actually learned anything at all the last 10 months from the pandemic?
95% of the infections happen INSIDE. Especially there where many people gather. So the last thing you should do is a curfew during the most busy familydays of the year. I can already predict a huge new number of cases in January which will lead to a new strict quarentine. Totally unnecessary as things went pretty well here if you compare the situation to many other parts in the world….
Agreed.
Thanks for the updates Jeff. Does the curfew for all of Christmas Day in Medellin mean that outdoor exercise is banned on Christmas? I will check the mayor’s Twitter page now to see if he has clarified either way.
-Ian
Details haven’t been provided yet on the curfew, just the dates so far that we have seen. We will update the article if we see details.
The curfew is almost irrelevant given that Medellin has enacted a ban on liquor sales after 10 PM at bars, clubs, and restaurants. What are you realistically going to be out doing after dark from 10 PM to 12 AM when the nightlife ends before it even begins? The 10 PM liquor ban is effectively a shutdown given the percentage of sales liquor is for restaurants, bars, and clubs. Not sure why this website is not drawing more attention to that; it should be mentioned in this article so as not to give a misleading impression. For the record, I have have lived in Medellin and this information is from my local friends born & raised there, coming from them/on the ground as of today. And let’s not forget that Daniel Quintero, the mayor of Medellin, could very well impose another dry ban over the Christmas and New Years Eve periods – as with this curfew, such information often is released first in Spanish on Quintero’s Twitter or another feed. Again, this website could do a better job of informing such things, and also linking to the official source of information (even if in Spanish) when available; it’s important for those thinking of coming for the Christmas and/or New Years period.
The ban on the the sale of liquor restricted to 10 pm in Bars and Restaurants in in our article and we have a separate article, see – https://medellinguru.com/sale-of-liquor/
The ban on sale of liquor was put in place by the national government and is scheduled to end tomorrow. If extended ww will update our articles.
Nice that they have a curfew on those days and not shutting places down.
Its a curfew we can all live with.
Yes, agree, a nightly curfew that starts at midnight something we can all live with. They could do it longer and not impact many people.