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.
Sign up for the Free Medellin Guru Newsletter – You can see all of the previous Medellin Guru weekly email newsletters and sign up here.
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.
99 thoughts on “Curfew and Dry Law in Medellín and Antioquia from March 25 to June 9”
Is the curfew over?
I’ve seen Instagram posts of riots taking place in Medellín, specifically around las palmas and the action fitness area. Are these reports true ?
Today a march on Avenida El Poblado to San Diego, LA 33 to Parque de los Pies Descalzos. See this news in Spanish – https://www.minuto30.com/medellin-colombia-te-llevo-en-mi-corazon/1243900/
That’s a very positive article thank you for sharing
Yeah, those marchers were in support of the reported 80,000 small businesses in Colombia that had to shut down because of the raging mobs that blocked the roads in protest against the ill-conceived, then cancelled sales tax hike. The central government is facing an enormous short fall in revenue. First It was the 2 million Venezuelans that spilled over the Colombian border who required emergency food, shelter and medical attention. Next, there were 2 million cases of Covid 19 to attend to and the purchase of millions upon millions of doses of vaccine for this country of 50 million souls. Then one has to take into account that the povery rate before the virus was 45% and that in the last 14 months the unemployment has exploded. The bottom fell out.
Why then, in spite of the crushing body blows would the Colombian government raise taxes on everyone includung people who are already past the breaking point? People died as a result of the protests that followed. President Duque rescinded the tax plan but by then the dam had already collapsed. Protesters blocked vital roads and made everything even worse than it already was. Paralysis set in and 300,000 additional people lost their jobs. So I am relieved that the marchers shown in Jeff’s link are telling us to refrain from destructive reactions which are only making a bad decision worse.
HI Jeff, greetings. I’m ambivalent about an upcoming trip to Medellin. I’m due to travel late June to
early July, have not been ticketed, vaccinated and ready to fly. I’m however uncertain about the
entry and exit procedures. Please help me confirm the procedures.
Also, what is required to move around in
El Poblado ? Are there special masks approved by the
government or any approved masks will do ?
How long before arrival must the entry test be taken? Do I get a rapid test or a PCR test?
What if there is a curfew upon arrival ? Am I to be turned around or does the airport authority
arrange for me to get to my hotel? I don’t speak fluent Spanish?
Thanks for your assistance.
Any mask will do. A PCR test is needed within 96 hours of your flight to Colombia, no rapid test accepted – see our popular article – https://medellinguru.com/colombia-require-covid-19-test/
Even if you arrive during a curfew, you are permitted to travel from the airport.
Is the dry law and curfew going to be extended beyond May 17?
Nothing announced yet. We will update the article when we see an announcement.
Please please don’t extend it again we are suffering from traveling
Hi, Jeff – thanks for your reporting. Is Medellin still in a red alert for hospitals?
Yes, extended to May 15 – see this in Spanish – https://caracol.com.co/emisora/2021/04/30/medellin/1619795984_965011.html
I just booked June 21-28, will things be normal by then? If not and they are the same will I at least be allowed to be out and about until 8pm mon-fri?
They are announcing new restrictions week by week, not so far out.
Hi Eleazer, I’ve been to CO 14 times, and the last time was by far the worst, because of the police state CO has turned into since covid started. It looks like you’ve got a week and my guess is 3 or 4 of those days will be heavily restricted, the other days will be restricted in some other way. We’ve been in Mexico for 3 months and the only thing we have to do covid related is wear a mask inside indoor public spaces. I have a friend who’s cancelled his trip to medellin multiple times,the last time losing nearly $1000 because of the situation in CO. I hope you have a flexible flight. I have no plans of returning to CO anytime soon and I encourage everyone to avoid CO, it’s simply not worth the headache or the potential financial loss.
Hello Jeff, Thank you for the wealth of accurate information that you are dedicated to providing! I was hoping you could help me find a resource of current restrictions in the smaller pueblos of Antioquia. Places such as Guatape, San Rafael and San Carlos. On the city websites there is no mention of current restrictions regarding toque de queda and pico y cedula? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Cheers
The curfew and Pico y Cedula restrictions are for ALL of Antioquia, they were announced by the Governor of Antioquia.
Hello,
I wanted to confirm the restrictions from May 1st to May 3rd. To be clear in previous lockdown weekends you were allowed to get groceries on your pico y cedula days, however from May 1st to May 3rd you will not be allowed to go out and get groceries, is that correct?
Thanks
Correct, you can’t leave the house from noon on May 1 to 5 am on May 3.
Are there any updates on the situation? My wife and I were planning a trip to Medellin on May 12. If we have to be in a hotel room for 76 hours during the weekend, it sounds like we might have to postpone our trip.
But what date should we postpone to? It looks like they’re still at 97% ICU capacity and we can only change our tickets once.
I would definately postpone. September would be my choice. Vaccination goes very slow in Colombia so the later you can go the better.
at what ICU level would one be comfortable going?
When I went back last December, Bogota ICU was under 70%. (today 90.5% from SaludData) Probably want 80, otherwise reschedule the Colombia portion. Mexico is ok and they respected freedom, liberty, and economy better than most countries.
saludos
I am also scheduled to arrive to Medellin on May 12 but with today’s new I will postpone and travel to Guadalajara instead. Was in CDMX Dec – Apr and life was mostly normal there with reasonable precautions.
Good choice Mateo. We’re in Toluca, MEXICO right now and have no plans on returning to medellin until this police state situation calms down. In Sabaneta, I was stopped many times by the police for not having my mask on OUTSIDE, now dry laws, pcr test still required, controlling movement by id#, curfew’s, and now protests. Mexico is definitely the better option right now. I would encourage anyone thinking about visiting CO to change their travel plans. CO is not worth the aggravation.
Agreed, Victor and Mateo!
Will be in Mexico, but cancelled MEX-BOG flight
monitoring the ICU & rioting situations. otherwise return to USA. (Farmacia Ahorros has antigen test for MXN 299)
“…There is an exception only in Sabaneta where outside exercise if permitted.”
Not this weekend according to the Sabaneta website.
Hi Jeff!
Is Guatape considered part of the Aburra Valley? In particular is the weekend curfew in Guatape 5pm-5am or the full 24 hours? Thank you for all your time and efforts. Best regards
Guatape is not part of the Aburrá Valley, so weekend curfew in Guatape is from 5 pm on Thursday to 5 am on Monday.
Does the Guatape weekend curfew include gaps of non-curfew time between 5am-5pm or is it continuous? Apologies for the multiple inquires and thank you kindly for the timely informative responses.
Continuous from 5 pm on Thursday to 5 am on Monday. But one per home can leave on Pico y Cedula days (even/odd) to buy essentials like groceries.
Hi Jeff:
A few questions.
Why is the virus continuing to spread so much in Colombia?
Are people not complying with masking, social distancing, and gathering in groups? I see groups of Colombian guys playing basketball in the park, no shirts (sweating) and obviously no masks.
Or is it the lack of vaccines to accelerate the vaccine program to everyone, as is now the case in the U.S. 200 million shots administered. Europe doesn’t have enough vaccine.
Or are there adequate supplies in Colombia, but the Anti-Vaxxer Q-Anon crazies are refusing to do anything known to mitigate the spread from getting the shot to wearing a mask?
Now, some more practical concerns: If I am eating in a restaurant at 7 PM, must I leave the restaurant by 8 PM to comply with curfew? Or does 8 PM only mean the door is closed to new diners?
If I am allowed to stay and finish eating, say it is 9 PM when I leave. Will I be able to get an Uber to get back to my apartment? Can I be in a car between 8PM and midnight?
Lastly, if I book a staycation in a hotel, so at least I can sit by the pool, drink strong cocktails and relax, will the restaurants inside the hotel remain open past 8 PM for hotel guests only? Or must I have room service?
This one is rhetorical . . . Will this ever end?
At 72, my life clock is ticking away, and I feel like so much of my time left has been wasted just trying not to die from a contagious disease.
There are many not following the curfew rules. This weekend almost 3,000 fines for violating the curfew in Medellín and the Aburrá Valley – see in Spanish – https://www.elcolombiano.com/antioquia/multas-por-toque-de-queda-en-abril-en-el-valle-de-aburra-BJ14954207
And what do the authorities do when people are cited and fined and then simply don’t pay? Are they arrested and jailed, or is it like San Francisco, where the whole city has turned lawless.
This won’t end for a long time years to decades.
“Are people not complying with masking, social distancing, and gathering in groups? I see groups of Colombian guys playing basketball in the park, no shirts (sweating) and obviously no masks.”
You honestly think people are going to do this, for years and years, especially if young, the vast majority of people are not affected by covid-19 at all, depending on Country age and fatness profile 65-80%, going by my reading, most young people know that. Even in the UK where I am from and the profile for age and fatness is bad 66-75% are not affected at all, depending on which reputable sources I read.
Vaccines will help, but not as the main media is presently saying, but only by spreading the deaths over a longer period of time, so keeping the ICUs from filling up.
Just have to wait to gradually more goverments and people WAKE UP, Medellin basically gave up end of August and just following the ICU availability , which I believe is 90% correct.
I caught coronavirus and was fine. But please note I did not sleep it off. Hcq + zinc and lysine 2 gram every few hours and I ate super healthy. People dying or ending up in icu are people NOT doing any treatments. Coronavirus is real but it is easiest treatable. It’s time people wake up. The amount of damage to the economy and poor people by this 1% fatality rate (and these are people who do zero treatments or eat healthy )
Ridicules
Dan,
Way to high fatility rate.
More realistic is 0.01% – 0.03%.
Those LOW percentages I post above are just year one, they will be lower in year 2, then lower in year 3, if you are NOT living in a lockdown Country.
These corona viruses have hit LOADS of times, previouse times they have been mis diagnosed as very bad influensa outbreaks.
After a while the virus will all most certainly come under the common cold heading, the same as the previouse ones.
TYPO ON THIS PAGE JEFF>>>
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 29 – 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
29 is duplicated and 28 is missing . . .
Thanks for catching that, fixed.
Hi Jeff! We are due to travel to Medellin for our wedding on May 1. Have you heard on when or if the curfew will be extended? Would it be at 8 or later? If we are in a hotel can we still congregate/have dinner? Thank you!
Will likely be extended as ICU occupation in Antioquia is still high. Watch our article about Coronavirus status in Colombia that is updated daily and includes the ICU occupancy in Antioquia – https://medellinguru.com/coronavirus-in-colombia/
Hi Jeff, do you think i could travel from Medellin to Santa-Elena this Friday by bus or taxi if I do have a reservation in a hotel or airbnb? I just have a tourist visa.
Why travel? you will be locked down this weekend anywhere in Antioquia – https://medellinguru.com/nightly-curfew-and-dry-law-medellin/
Go and be stuck in a hotel? We are in a third peak of the pandemic and the government recommends not traveling if you don’t have to.
Hi Jeff,
We are traveling to Cartagena April 21, 2021, can you tell me what curfews/restrictions are in effect?
See here in Spanish. A nightly curfew in Cartagen until April 22 – https://www.elespectador.com/noticias/nacional/toque-de-queda-en-cartagena-asi-funcionara-la-medida/
But could be extended.
I read somewhere that lockdown will be over at 3am April 24th. What will be in effect then? I’m trying to figure it out as my vacation was scheduled from april 23-30. I’d love to still visit but not to sit in the house the entire time.
As it shows in the article, currently is scheduled to April 19 but will likely be extended.
Hi Jeff.
Are there any updates with regards to the curfew and lockdowns being extended beyond 4/19?
Not yet but likely.
In the news here in Medellin they said most probably every weekend of the whole month April (from Thursday 8pm to Monday 5am) will be a lockdown.
The situation is very bad here in Medellin at the moment. They are already transferring people with jets to other hospitals in the country….
Yes, exactly the governor said on the news today would likely be every weekend this month (from Thursday 8pm to Monday 5am) will be a lockdown.
Finally being fully vaccinated, I will be arriving on Thu 29 April for a long overdue one week visit with Mi Amorcita in Medellin. If curfews are extended, we will deal with it, as will everyone, as best we can. Still, after 15 months physically apart, even this will be an improvement. If romantic dinners out must be replaced by Rappi at home, then so be it, LOL.
Based on your excellent & timely reporting of the continued sky-high ICU occupancy rates, and how the recent weekend curfews have been repeatedly extended primarily due to that metric, I took an educated guess and I booked a side trip for us to San Andres on my arrival day of Thu 29 April, returning to Medellin on Monday 3 May, which sadly seems to have turned out to be the right move. The few reports I’ve heard from San Andres on covid related actions have been much less restrictive, and our airbnb hosts say that we can expect a relatively normal weekend there, hopefully that will continue to be the case. Still looking forward to the Monday through Thursday back in Medellin and my first look at Amorcita’s new apartment, but glad I was able to pull off the side trip at short notice, as Amorcita & her family REALLY need some stress relief from the curfews, as they are still dealing emotionally with the loss of two close family members to covid last year. Thanks Jeff for your top notch coverage of ongoing developments, could not have planned this family getaway without it!
Any idea if there will be Rappi food deliveries this weekend during the curfew?
Deliveries are permitted.
Jeff, I’m scheduled to fly back to the U.S. on Friday night. Given that the full lockdown will be in effect, what do I need to have on hand to go from Poblado the airport without issue?
The airports are still open and passengers are permitted to travel to/from the airports. Just need your ticket if stopped.
Also, will grocery stores still deliver via Rappi?
Yes, deliveries are permitted.
Hello Jeff. I am a Patreon member. I have 2 questions concerning the lockdown April 8-12.
1. I assume we will not be able to go to the grocery store. Will restaurants still deliver via Rappi, etc.?
2. I have a dog. I assume I will be able to walk my dog during the lockdown. Is there any maximum distance I must remain within my apartment area (i.e., within 1 or 5 km, etc.)?
No leaving the home for grocery store.
Confirmed deliveries are permitted, taking pets to vet. Also, airports will remain open with passengers able to travel to/from airports – from this source. – https://www.elcolombiano.com/antioquia/excepciones-del-toque-de-queda-en-antioquia-BF14885325
Have not yet confirmed about taking a dog out but suspect permitted like in the past.
Do you know if we are allowed out for exercise on the 9, 10 & 11 April?
Thanks in advance.
NO, it is a lockdown.
Depends where, Sabaneta is Ok from this link:
https://twitter.com/AlcSabaneta/status/1380339452929794048
I have had my 2 COVID vaccinations – Can I travel to Colombia. Want to start documents to live in Colombia.
Regardless if you had vaccinations, a PCR test is still required for travel to Colombia – see our article – https://medellinguru.com/colombia-require-covid-19-test/
An upcoming major holiday is Corpus Christi (Body of Jesus Christ)
observed June 3 Thursday, Holiday June 7 Monday
This would not be a good time to travel or do business? everything could be reduced or closed, especially government and banks. And potentially increased restrictions like 4/3 and longer curfews which were imposed on Semana Santa?
breaking news. This came out this morning…. need clarification. think it calls for a new article
doesn’t say what kind of test. going to increase costs and negative impact on economy and tourism
and will foreigners be forced to use corona app? my travel phone is too old. and you had said it doesn’t work without a Colombian #
https://www.financecolombia.com/colombia-enacts-new-covid-19-travel-restrictions-domestic-travel-now-requires-testing/
Nothing in local news about this, looks incorrect. If a test was required for domestic travel it would be all over the local news like El Colombiano and El Tiempo.
The resolution only says that domestic flyers will be denied boarding if tested positive in the past 14 days based on data in Coron/app. See 3.2.2.18 in this – https://www.minsalud.gov.co/Normatividad_Nuevo/Resoluci%C3%B3n%20No.%20411%20de%202021.pdf – this has already been in place.
That resolution says nothing about requiring a test for domestic flyers, only international travelers, see: 3.2.2.19.
Be careful, English language news in Colombia sometimes gets things wrong. We go to the official government sources and reputable local news in Spanish.
Thank you. the wording of that article was already confusing.
You’d think it would be common sense that anyone positive should be staying at home!!!
Excluding the first 160-day strict period last march, how long have these curfews typically lasted?
Has varied, sometime just for a long weekend. This one is longer at 27 days.
Great thanks for the prompt response! Would you happen to know if there are still taxis/ubers running from the airport after curfew? I have a flight landing at about 5:00 on Monday and it may be tight to find a ride.
Also thanks for setting up the private health insurance connection, I plan to go through that and it’s been a very helpful resource!
Yes, taxis are permitted after the curfew for airline passengers. Not sure about Uber.
What are the “Even” and “odd” days of the week? In the US, a week starts on Sunday, but I know in other countries the week starts with Monday.
It goes the the date (number). Tomorrow is March 31, which is an odd day so ID’s ending in an odd number (1, 3, 5, 6, 7 or 9) can go to grocery stores and banks.
And April 1 is also an odd day. So, again ID’s ending in an odd number (1, 3, 5, 6, 7 or 9) can go to grocery stores and banks.
Oh Duh. That makes sense. Thanks.
Now that it’s 5 PM to 5 AM, what does this mean for travelers in hotels? Does Rappi still provide services?
Yes Rappi will still deliver/operate during those hours 🙂
Hello, i have night bus at 11:00pm from Medellin to Armenia on 31st. Do you know if it is possible to go to bus terminal after curfew? Thank you
Hello, my family and I were planning to get together for my cousins birthday. There are about 10 of us in Medellin. I understand large gatherings are not encouraged but legally speaking are they banned or would be there fines if they see you holding one?
Thanks much
Have not see a ban on small family gatherings, just a ban on larger gatherings of 50 or more people.
Very helpful! So if it’s a gathering with friends and about 20 people there are no issues from a legal stand point?
Do you know if this affects museums and parks and other tourist attractions? We were planning on visiting Medellin during Semana Santa. What about intercity travelling, like going to Guatape or Jardin? Thanks.
No closures and transportation is permitted.
Hi,
Does the dry law between 12am and 5am mean you can’t physically drink alcohol between those times (even if it’s at home) or that you can’t purchase alcohol during those times?
Thank you
Means you can’t purchase during these times.
Thanks for sharing!
Two questions:
1. Do the nightly curfews mean you have to be home by midnight or that all commercial activity (eg., restaurants have to be closed by then)?
2. Does the shopping day based on ID restriction apply to tourists with a passport? (Or just citizens who have Colombian ID)
Thanks!
1. Yes need to be home by midnight. And their are fines for violating the curfew. The streets should be empty after midnight.
2. Yes Pico y Cedula applies to foreigners and uses your passport number.
Thank you. What are the penalties for being on the streets between 12pm and 5am? (And also do the penalties applies if you’re in a car)
Yes also if you’re in a car and penalties are around 1.000.000 Colombian Pesos.
I am confused. You said restriction applies to pharmacies but in the next paragraph you said it does not apply to pharmacies. So, which one is it?
Thanks for catching that, removed the first one. Have never been checked for an ID at pharmacies during Pico y Cedula.
I’m scheduled to be down there from April 23-27th. Will most of these lock downs etc be done? I saw somewhere that 3am apr 24th the lockdown would be over but then where would that leave me? I hate to be on vacation stuck in the hotel.
On the news at about 4:30 the Antioquia governor said he thought would be needed for 4 weekends in a row but will depend on what happens with ICU occupancy.
I have a late flight coming in on Thursday night. Does that mean I can’t catch a taxi to my hotel in the middle of the night?
Taxis from the airport should be fine. Just make sure you have your airline ticket if stopped.
Thank you Jeff
is it possible to pick someone up at the airport on a Sunday if you show a copy of the ticket?