Nightly curfews in January in Medellín and Antioquia start on January 6 at 10 pm nightly until the Día de Los Reyes Magos holiday until January 12. Also, pico y cedula continues until January 12 and there is a dry law on the upcoming holiday weekend. These preventative measures are intended to reduce the spread of coronavirus.
According to El Colombiano, the Government of Antioquia, in a decision agreed with the 125 mayors in the disarmament of Antioquia, decreed a curfew for the entire department between 10:00 pm and 5:00 am every day starting from Wednesday, January 6 until January 11.
In addition to the curfew, a dry law was also decreed for the entire Antioquia department, without exceptions, from Friday, January 8 at 10:00 pm until Monday, January 11, at 11:59 pm.
Also, Pico y Cedula for even and odd numbers will be maintained until Monday the 12th, as it has been operating in recent weeks.
One of the main reasons for these preventative measures is the occupation ICU beds in Antioquia, which is currently at 82 percent occupancy and the Aburrá Valley at 85 percent and the Oriente region of Antioquia at 98 percent occupancy of ICUs.
Editor note on January 13: there are new nightly curfews in Medellín and Antioquia starting on January 14 until January 19, see our new article.
Editor note: according to El Colombiano on January 7, the curfew restrictions now differ based on ICU occupation and now goes from January 7 to January 12 for some municipalities and even longer for municipalities with ICU occupancy of 85 percent or higher.
Editor note: on January 7, it was announced that there will be a quarantine in Medellín and the entire Aburrá Valley plus the Oriente region of Antioquia, starting on January 8 at 7 pm and going until January 12 at 5:00 am.
Curfews in Colombia Based on ICU Occupancy from January 7 to January 12
According to the new parameters established by the national Colombian government, the restrictive measures for some municipalities are in accordance with the occupancy level of ICU beds.
ICU Occupancy 85 percent or higher
In municipalities where ICU occupancy is 85 percent or higher, such as Medellín, which has 87.02 percent occupancy, the restriction at the national level is a curfew between 7:00 pm and 5:00 am. from January 7 to January 12.
In addition, between January 12 and 16, there will be further restrictions with a curfew of people and vehicles between 8:00 pm and midnight.
But home delivery services (domicilio) will be permitted during curfew hours.
ICU Occupancy 80 to 84 percent
Other restrictions are for municipalities with ICU occupation from 80 percent to 84 percent. In this range, the restrictions is a curfew of people and vehicles in public places between 8:00 pm and 5:00 am from January 7 to January 12.
But home delivery services (domicilio) will be permitted during curfew hours.
ICU Occupancy 70 to 79 percent
In those municipalities with an ICU occupancy level of 70 percent in ICU beds, the movement of people and vehicles will be restricted from 10:00 pm until 5:00 am between on January 7 and 12, 2021.
For those municipalities in Antioquia that don’t fall in these ranges such as Sabaneta with ICU occupancy of 60 percent, the curfew below from January 6 to 11 still applies.
Quarantine in Medellín and the Aburrá Valley from January 8 to 12
However, this announcement by the national government created confusion in Antioquia according to Minuto30. Antioquia was reportedly defining adjustments to the measures already in force in Antioquia.
Also, Medellín’s Mayor tweeted that a quarantine would apply starting on January 8 at 7 pm and go until January 12 at 5:00 am.
In addition according to El Colombiano there will be quarantine in Medellín and the entire Aburrá Valley plus the Oriente region of Antioquia, starting on January 8 at 7 pm and going until January 12 at 5:00 am.
During the quarantine in Medellín and the entire Aburrá Valley you are not supposed to leave the home unless you work for a company that is open or are traveling to take a flight. Some grocery stores, pharmacies and restaurants with delivery services are open.
The rest of Antioquia will follow the original planned nightly curfews from January 6 to January 11 in the following section.
Nightly Curfew Antioquia from January 6 to 11
Antioquia not including Medellín and the Aburrá Valle and the Oriente region of Antioquia, will have strict nightly curfews starting on January 6 to 11 on the following days for municipalities with ICU occupancy less than 70 percent:
- January 6 – 10 pm to 5 am
- January 7– 10 pm to 5 am
- January 8 – 10 pm to 5 am
- January 9 – 10 pm to 5 am
- January 10 – 10 pm to 5 am
- January 11 – 10 pm to 5 am
Also, Medellín and Antioquia will continue Pico y Cedula until January 11, 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.
Until January 12, 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.
Pico y Cedula in Colombia
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 in January in Medellín and Antioquia demonstrate that this is the most likely preventative measures to be taken in the future. Also, Medellín and Antioquia are continuing 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 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 Curfews in January in Medellin and Antioquia Start on January 6
There are strict strict nightly curfews in Medellín and Antioquia for seven days in January from January 6 to January 12 and the time of the curfews varies depending on municipality.
There will be a quarantine in Medellín and the entire Aburrá Valley plus the Oriente region of Antioquia, starting on January 8 at 7 pm and going until January 12 at 5:00 am.
In addition, Medellín and Antioquia will continue Pico y Cedula until January 12, which restricts shopping days based on the last digit of your ID,
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 will take additional 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 January 7, 2021 with new curfews from January 7 to 12 based on ICU occupancy defined by the Colombian national government and added that Medellín’s Mayor announced that the curfew will be from January 8 at 7 pm and go until January 12 at 5:00 am.
Editors note: updated again on January 7, 2021 with information that a curfew will be in Medellín and the Aburrá Valley starting on January 8 at 7 pm and go until January 12 at 5:00 am.
27 thoughts on “Nightly Curfews in January in Medellin and Antioquia Start on January 6”
what about taking a cab from the airport to your lodging?
Yes, taking a cab to/from the airport is permitted. Just need proof of your flight like a boarding pass if stopped.
Very confusing this lockdown.
Supermarkets are all open (pico y cedula), fruit-venders in the streets working normal as usual, farmacy shops all open….
Is sporting outside (for example max. 1 hour) permitted? I see many people on the streets today….
This is a strict curfew. Some quick translation – Supermarkets and pharmacies are supposed to be open only for delivery. The ONLY exceptions to the curfew are for people who work in the medical field, food supply services, security services, and other excepted tasks – they must circulate with a permit or company id card in which they work. No person can be mobilized if they are not part of the aforementioned exceptions. Furthermore, restaurants may only operate with delivery and none may be open to the public, as well as places that do not offer essential services, such as supermarkets and neighborhood stores. Source, see in Spanish – https://colombia.as.com/colombia/2021/01/07/actualidad/1610043897_968867.html
There will be no spaces for physical, recreational or sports activity from this Friday, at 7:00 pam until Tuesday, January 12 at 5:00 am. Source, see in Spanish – https://www.elcolombiano.com/antioquia/1500-policias-vigilan-el-cumplimiento-del-toque-de-queda-en-medellin-OP14394749
Thanks a lot Jeff.
Then I can only conclude that a lot of people in the city aren’t taking serious this lockdown at all. Maybe people are tired of another lockdown or the fear for the virus is completely gone. Or a combination of both probably.
There are reportedly 1,500 police out enforcing this quarantine and violation has fines of up to 1,014,980 pesos and even arrest. See in Spanish – https://www.elcolombiano.com/antioquia/1500-policias-vigilan-el-cumplimiento-del-toque-de-queda-en-medellin-OP14394749
Hi Jeff Can I travel from Fredonia until Medellin bus station on Sunday with a tourist visa without any problems? Or do I need a special authorizarion? I just would like to travel from the bus station until the place I am renting in Medellin.
Yes, travel is permitted.
Jeff, how big are chances that the lockdown will take longer than next Tuesday morning January 12?
I would say no because it will be mortal for the already suffering economy. I assume they will go back to Pico y Cedula and only night curfews?
While you believe closing airports and a national lockdown is unlikely, do you believe Colombia may ban entry from certain countries in the near future? Particularly hard-hit ones like the US? Thank you!
Not likely due to new PCR test requirement – https://medellinguru.com/colombia-require-covid-19-test/
I have just heard that there will be a strict quarantine from 7pm Friday to 5 am Tuesday (maybe extended).
As it says in our article above, Medellín’s Mayor tweeted that a quarantine would apply starting on January 8 at 7 pm and go until January 12 at 5:00 am. Envigado’s Mayor tweeted not in agreement.
This is an evolving news story. We will update when more information is available.
So the quarantine will only be in Medellin? Not in Envigado, Sabaneta, Itagui, Bello and the rest of the whole department of Antioquia?
Might pack my bags tomorrow then and leave to Jardin Antioquia until Tuesday….
Just announced and our article updated, quarantine is for the entire Aburrá Valley including Medellín, Envigado, Sabaneta, Bello and the other six municipalities in the valley plus the Oriente region of Antioquia.
The rest of Antioquia follows the original nightly curfew.
Thanks Jeff. Jardin Antioquia it will be then. Or maybe Santafe de Antioquia 🙂
I hope I’m wrong but I imagine far tougher measures are just around the corner especially if the new far more contagious variants of the virus manage to make their way to Colombia (which is highly likely with international travel open the way it is).
I think a new national lockdown is a real possibility (starting in February or March is my guess). Although the government has repeatedly said there won’t be one, if there is no capacity left to treat the seriously ill, the government will have no choice.
National quarantine is VERY unlikely, there are many reasons why it is unlikely – see our article – https://medellinguru.com/return-to-a-quarantine-colombia/
1. Major Economic Impacts
2. Unemployment Will Increase
3. The Rate of Coronavirus Infection Varies by City and Town in Colombia – increase in cases is mainly in 27 cities why punish over 1,000 municipalities where the new case curve is relatively flat.
5. The Government Said Unlikely – President Duque previously said – “lockdown in response to rising coronavirus infections would spur a “social and economic suicide.”
6. Need to Learn to Live with Coronavirus
7. A Quarantine Can Do More Harm than Good
8. Can a Quarantine be Imposed, Relaxed and Re-Imposed as Needed? – how can businesses survive and plan?
9. Vaccinations will start in February in Colombia.
What exactly does the curfew mean? Are there exemptions? I have to go to work in the night is this permissible?
Any idea where I can find more info on Cartagena (Curfew / Lockdown / Dry Law / Pico y cedula)? Planning to visit Medellin and Cartagena this weekend / next week and would like to know what to prepare for.
Cartagena had a curfew on Jan 1 and 2 from 1 am to 6 am. Nothing we have seen yet announced for the upcoming holiday weekend but a possibility. To find this in Spanish search for “cartagena toque de queda”.
Thank you very much for these updates.
I need to travel to Medellin for the months of Jan and Feb. I apologize for what may be a stupid question, but regarding pico y cedula:
What if one does not yet have a Colombian ID? Are you not allowed to shop?
Yes you can shop. You can use another ID like a passport for Pico y Cedula, use the last digit of the passport number.
Found answer for Bogota – does not apply to restaurants. presume this includes cafes & bakeries (take out, of course)
“Pico y cédula will remain in operation throughout the city until at least Jan. 15. The restriction, which forbids those with odd-numbered IDs from shopping or banking on odd days and even-numbered IDs on even days, does not apply to hotels and restaurants”
https://thebogotapost.com/bogota-reintroduces-strict-quarantine-measures/48287/
I use certified or medical mask and now faceshield
saludos
Hi Jeff Can I travel from Fredonia until Medellin bus station on Saturday or Sunday with a tourist visa without any problems? Or do I need a special authorizarion? I just would like to travel from the bus station until the place I am renting in Medellin.
What about restaurants?
(I know about Rappi but not every restaurant participates, plus there are extra costs – fees and tips. not worth it for tinto, 1.000 pandebono or 3.000 hotdog)
And especially for people or tourists who DONT have kitchen in their room – they have to go out daily to buy food and meals?
(I have full kitchen so can plan ahead, stock up, and cook)
PS: Have business trip again to Colombia soon… need to be aware and prepared as rules can change anytime. Early December trip was perfect timing, no restrictions and no PCR test either.
Pico y cedula doesn’t apply to restaurants in Medellín or Antioquia. Over 6,000 restaurants opened for table service in Medellín on August 31 and most are still open – https://medellinguru.com/restaurants-open-for-table-service/