Nightly curfews that started on January 14 in Medellín and Antioquia were until February 2. But curfews in parts of Antioquia not including Medellín were extended to February 17.
According to El Colombiano, the governor of Antioquia, Aníbal Gaviria, announced new coronavirus preventative measures that started on Thursday January 14 in an attempt to prevent the collapse of the health system.
After a dialogue with the mayors of the Aburrá Valley and the other subregions of Antioquia, Gaviria announced that there will be a nightly curfew for the 125 municipalities of the department of Antioquia starting on Thursday, January 14, until Tuesday, January 19 from 10:00 pm to 5:00 am, every day. This is similar to previous nightly curfews in Medellín and Antioquia.
In addition, Pico y Cedula will return in Medellín, the Aburrá Valley and the Oriente region of Antioquia starting from January 14, 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.
Editor note on January 15: According to the Mayor of Medellin on Twitter, the curfew in Medellín starting on January 15 now starts at 8 pm on January 15 until January 18 at 5 am (so is essentially a quarantine over the weekend).
Note the weekend curfew started at a different time in the rest of the Aburrá Valley: According to the Antioquia Government on Twitter, the weekend curfew in Envigado, Sabaneta, Itagüí, Caldas, La Estrella, Bello, Copacabana, Girardota and Barbosa, now starts at 6 pm on January 16 until January 18 at 5 am.
Editor note on January 20. According to El Colombiano, at night on January 19, Aníbal Gaviria, the governor of Antioquia announced the extension of nightly curfews in Medellín and all of Antioquia from January 20 to 26. There will be nightly curfews in Medellín and Antioquia from 10 pm to 5 am each night from January 20 until January 26. Also pico y cedula is extended to January 26 in Medellín and the Aburrá Valley.
Editor note on January 25. According to El Colombiano, Aníbal Gaviria, the governor of Antioquia announced the extension of nightly curfews in Medellín and all of Antioquia from January 27 to February 1. There will be nightly curfews in Medellín and Antioquia from midnight to 5 am each night from January 27 until February 2. Also pico y cedula is extended to February 2 in Medellín and the Aburrá Valley.
EDITOR NOTE on January 27: According to El Colombiano, Daniel Quintero, mayor of Medellín, announced through his Twitter account that there will be no curfew in Medellín: “Instead we will have a nightly dry law: between midnight and 5:00 am that will apply on Friday January 29 and Saturday January 30. It is not party time ”. So, Medellín is NOT included in the nightly curfew from January 27 to February 2.
EDITOR NOTE on February 4: According to Minuto30, Aníbal Gaviria, the governor of Antioqui announced nightly curfews in parts of Antioquia from midnight to 5 am in the following municipalities in Antioquia: Bello, Copacabana, Girardota and Barbosa in the Aburrá Valley and Urabá, Occidente, Suroeste, Oriente, Norte, Nordeste, Bajo Cauca and Magdalena Medio, In the Aburrá Valley, Medellín, Sabaneta, La Estrella, Envigado, Caldas and Itagüí no longer have nightly curfews. Also, Pico y Cedula in Antioquia has ended.
EDITOR NOTE on February 11: According to El Colombiano, Aníbal Gaviria, the governor of Antioqui announced nightly curfews from midnight to 5 am in 118 municipalities in Antioquia located in the Urabá, Occidente, Suroeste, Oriente, Norte, Nordeste, Bajo Cauca and Magdalena Medio regions of Antioquia. The nightly curfews are from February 11 to 17.
In the Aburrá Valley, only Copacabana, Girardota and Barbosa will have these nightly curfews from February 11 to 17. In the Aburrá Valley, Medellín, Sabaneta, Bello, La Estrella, Envigado, Caldas and Itagüí no longer have nightly curfews. Also, Pico y Cedula in Antioquia has ended.
Nightly Curfew in Antioquia from January 14 to February 17
All of Antioquia will have strict nightly curfews starting on January 14 to February 2 on the following days with exceptions for the Aburrá Valley in bold:
- January 14 – 10 pm to 5 am
- January 15– 10 pm to 5 am (in Medellín starts at 8 pm until 5 am on January 18)
- January 16 – 10 pm to 5 am (in Envigado, Sabaneta, Itagüí, Caldas, La Estrella, Bello, Copacabana, Girardota y Barbosa starts at 6 pm until 5 am on January 18)
- January 17 – 10 pm to 5 am
- January 18 – 10 pm to 5 am
- January 19 – 10 pm to 5 am
- January 20 – 10 pm to 5 am
- January 21 – 10 pm to 5 am
- January 22 – 10 pm to 5 am
- January 23 – 10 pm to 5 am
- January 24 – 10 pm to 5 am
- January 25 – 10 pm to 5 am
- January 26 – 10 pm to 5 am
From January 27 to February 2, the nightly curfew is for ll of Antioquia NOT including Medellín
- January 27 – midnight to 5 am
- January 28 – midnight to 5 am
- January 29 – midnight to 5 am
- January 30 – midnight to 5 am
- January 31 – midnight to 5 am
- February 1 – midnight to 5 am
- February 2 – midnight to 5 am
From February 4 to February 10, the nightly curfew is only in Bello, Copacabana, Girardota and Barbosa in the Aburrá Valley and Urabá, Occidente, Suroeste, Oriente, Norte, Nordeste, Bajo Cauca and Magdalena Medio regions.
- February 4 – midnight to 5 am
- February 5 – midnight to 5 am
- February 6 – midnight to 5 am
- February 7 – midnight to 5 am
- February 7 – midnight to 5 am
- February 9 – midnight to 5 am
- February 10 – midnight to 5 am
From February 11 to February 17, the nightly curfew is only in Copacabana, Girardota and Barbosa in the Aburrá Valley and Urabá, Occidente, Suroeste, Oriente, Norte, Nordeste, Bajo Cauca and Magdalena Medio regions.
- February 11 – midnight to 5 am
- February 12 – midnight to 5 am
- February 13 – midnight to 5 am
- February 14 – midnight to 5 am
- February 15 – midnight to 5 am
- February 16 – midnight to 5 am
- February 17 – midnight to 5 am
Also, Medellín and the other nine municipalities in the Aburrá Valley continued Pico y Cedula starting at midnight on January 14 until February 2, which restricts shopping days based on the last digit of your ID. The Pico y Cedula restriction applied for going to grocery shops, malls, small tiendas, pharmacies and also includes banking and notary services. However, Pico y Cedula in Antioquia ended on February 2.
From January 20 to February 2, Pico y Cedula applies only in the 10 municipalities in the Aburrá Valley and in Rionegro, Guarne, El Carmen de Viboral, El Retiro, El Santuario, Marinilla and La Ceja.
If your ID ended 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 shopping restrictions
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 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 the Aburrá Valley 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:
- COVID-19 Vaccinations in Colombia Start on February 20
- 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 Curfews in Medellín and Antioquia from January 14 to February 17
There are strict strict nightly curfews in Antioquia from January 14 to February 17 that have been extended in some parts of Antioquia.
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 try to update our popular article about coronavirus hospitalization in Colombia weekly with updates on ICU utilization.
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Editors note: updated on January 14, 2021 with information that Pico y Cedula starts on January 14.
Editors note: updated on January 15, 2021 with information that nightly curfews in Medellín starting on January 15 now start at 8 pm until 5 am on January 18.
Editors note: updated again on January 15, 2021 with information that the nightly curfews in Envigado, Sabaneta, Itagüí, Caldas, La Estrella, Bello, Copacabana, Girardota and Barbosa over the weekend start on January 16 at 6 pm.
Editors note: updated on January 20, 2021 with information the the nightly curfews in Medellín and Antioquia have been extended from January 20 to 26 are from 10 pm to 5 am each night.
Editors note: updated on January 25, 2021 with information the the nightly curfews in Medellín and Antioquia have been extended from January 27 to February 2 are from midnight to 5 am each night.
Editors note: updated on January 27, 2021 with information that Medellín will not have the nightly curfew from January 27 to February 2. This nightly curfew is in effect for the other 124 municipalities in Antioquia.
Editors note: updated on February 4, 2021 with information that a nightly curfew continues in Antioquia in a limited number of municipalities from February 4 to 10. In the Aburrá Valley, only Bello, Copacabana, Girardota and Barbosa will have nightly curfews. Medellín, Sabaneta, La Estrella, Envigado, Caldas and Itagüí no longer have nightly curfews.
Editors note: updated on February 11, 2021 with information that a nightly curfew continues in Antioquia in a limited number of municipalities from February 11 to 17. In the Aburrá Valley, only Copacabana, Girardota and Barbosa will have nightly curfews. Medellín, Sabaneta, Bello, La Estrella, Envigado, Caldas and Itagüí no longer have nightly curfews.
24 thoughts on “Nightly Curfews in Medellín and Antioquia from January 14 to February 17”
flights from Brasil have also been banned
Hey Jeff, regarding your new post of dry law instead of nightly curfew. You mentioned it started at 12p at night til 5a. Do you mean 12a at night til 5a in the morning or 12p in the afternoon til 5a in the morning?
Updated to make it clear – according to El Colombiano 12:00 at night – https://www.elcolombiano.com/antioquia/medellin/no-habra-toque-de-queda-en-medellin-pero-si-ley-seca-HD14533455
Updated to say he dry law is from midnight to 5 am on Friday and Saturday night.
hi Jeff, where can I find the list of more restrictive measures for incoming flights from certain countries? For example, many countries are starting to restrict flights from UK and Brazil due to new covid strains. How do I find out the list for this type of restrictions for incoming flights to Colombia? and even if there’s no restriction, what is the best and most accurate source to check for future updates regarding this?
Only flights from the UK to Colombia are banned as far as we have seen. Not aware of a “best and most accurate source”.
Hello Jeff, I noticed the curfew was extended until February 2nd. Are Bars, Clubs and Restaurants open like normal until the curfew time which will soon be midnight?
Yes, the restaurants and bars are open – see our article about the new normal in Medellín – https://medellinguru.com/new-normal-in-medellin/
Hello Will, where did you find out that the curfew time will soon be midnight? And when would be soon?
Appreciate the help, thanks
See our above article supposed to start tonight at midnight in all of Antioquia – but now there may be an exception for Medellín – see this in Spanish – https://www.elcolombiano.com/antioquia/medellin/medellin-no-se-une-al-toque-de-queda-de-la-gobernacion-de-antioquia-IC14527690
Will update the article when an official decision has been made for Medellín.
Thanks Jeff! Good info.
I should read more carefully,
Thank you for the correction and also the el-colombiano-article, Jeff! Excellent
Surely looking forward to the update!
Article is updated. We confirmed that Medellín will not have the nightly curfew from January 27 to February 2. This nightly curfew is only for the other 124 municipalities in Antioquia.
Hello Jeff and friends, I am planning to come to Medellin the weekend of Jan 22nd and was wondering what are the chances of an all weekend curfew this weekend of Jan 22nd also (like the all weekend curfews of Jan 8th and Jan 15th.) Also are there curfews on the weekdays also.? Thanks
Nothing has been announced yet. We will update our article when we find out. We suspect there will be more nightly curfews and possibly a weekend curfew.
Our above article is updated. There are now nightly curfews from 10 pm to 5 am each night from January 20 to January 26 in Medellín and Antioquia.
Hi Jeff. As usual thanks for the excellent info you provide to us all. Its been well worth signing up as a patron.
I have to return to the U.S. this Friday Jan. 22nd to get the covid vaccination and deal with other medical issues. I’m 70 yo. To get my flight I need to leave for the airport at 4:00 am, an hour before the toque de queda ends for the day. Do you or does anyone else have any idea how I can do this without being stopped by police and fined? Many thanks for any help!
You can travel to/from airports. Just need your boarding pass.
Is it allowed to travel to the airport to pick up someone? Is there a special form/authorisation to fill in/request for that? Thx
Not really, only permitted taxis and people travelling to/from airport. There is no form/authorization for that. And non-passengers are not permitted in the terminal.
Lockdown (24 hours a day not just night time) announced from 8pm this evening until 5 am Monday.
Yes, our article says “the curfew in Medellín starting on January 15 now starts at 8 pm on January 15 until January 18 at 5 am (so is essentially a quarantine over the weekend)”
Also, according to the Antioquia Government on Twitter, the weekend curfew in Envigado, Sabaneta, Itagüí, Caldas, La Estrella, Bello, Copacabana, Girardota and Barbosa, now starts at 6 pm on January 16 until January 18 at 5 am.
According to the newest Twitter announcement today (15 January), the curfew is until MON. Jan 18 at 0500, NOT Jan. 17 as in your article.
Our article was updated earlier to until Monday, Jan. 18.
Nice to see no lock down, just nightly curfews. I do not understand the even odd Pico y Cedula, since people do not go out every day shopping, so what is the purpose.