Medellin plans the “total” reopening of economic activities in the city gradually over the next four months, starting with restaurants, gyms and churches.
Mayor of Medellín, Daniel Quintero, announced on August 24 the “total” reopening of the economic activities of the city, gradually over a period of four months. This decision was made based on the good results obtained by the city in its fight against the COVID-19 virus.
This reopening of economic activities measure extends to the entire Aburrá Valley, since it has the support of the other nine metropolitan mayors, who signed the decree.
This week, an authorization for inter-municipal land transportation for 11 municipalities in the Southwest of Antioquia related to the coffee harvest begins to take effect. This measure has already been approved by the National Government and is expected to be extended to the entire department of Antioquia with the consent of the Ministry of the Interior.
Domestic flights from the Olaya Herrera Airport in Medellín and from José María Córdova Airport, in Rionegro have been approved by the Presidency of the Republic. And the first domestic flights from José María Córdova Airport were last week.
Furthermore, the last day of Pico y Cedula in the Aburrá Valley will be on August 30.
This announcement about reopening of economic activities in Medellín was on the same day as President Duque’s announcement on August 24 that the national quarantine in Colombia ends on September 1.
Parque Arví to open second week in September
Reopening of Economic Activities in Medellín
Starting on August 31, the opening of the restaurant sector in the Aburrá Valley is approved to start. And the first week of September the plan is to open gymnasiums. The restaurant and gym sectors generate at least 50,000 jobs in the Aburrá Valley.
The Smart Fit in Unicentro mall, plan is to open gyms the second week of September
Also the first week of September, churches will reopen.
The second week of September, open-air theaters and Plaza Mayor can open, which will be able to organize their first events. In addition, sports venues will be able to open. And the bike lanes and Parque Arvi, the Nutibara and El Volador hills, as well as motels will be operational again.
Churches to open first week in September
In the third week of September, the Parque Norte amusement park and casinos will open.
For the first week of October, the reopening of coliseums is authorized. And the third week of November, discotheques will open.
By December, the La Macarena Entertainment Center will open and the opening of the stadium will enable professional football (soccer) to return.
Parque Norte amusement park to open third week in September
Medellín Reopening of Economic Activities Schedule Summary
- August 31: pilot of reopening of the gastronomic sector (approved).
Planned opening dates of other sectors (pending approval of the National Government)
- First week of September: gyms, temples and churches.
- Second week of September: open air theaters, events in Plaza Mayor convention center, sports venues, Parque Arví, Pueblito Paisa, El Volador hill and motels.
- Third week of September: cinemas, theaters and related, Parque Norte Amusement Park and casinos.
- First week of October: coliseums.
- Third week of November: Aeroparque Juan Pablo II, discos and bars.
- First week of December: La Macarena, football (soccer) stadium and massive events.
Parque Norte to open the third week of September, water ride at Parque Norte amusement park in Medellín, photo courtesy of Parque Norte
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:
- 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
Plan to reopen Pueblito Paisa the second week of September, photo by Jenny Bojinova
The Bottom Line: Reopening of Economic Activities in Medellín
Previously shopping malls reopened and all kinds of shops opened in Medellín and the Aburrá Valley. Over the next four months most places in Medellín and the Aburrá Valley will be able to gradually open.
Note that biosafety measure will still be in place for all these openings including the requirement to wear face masks.
However, the announcement of the plan for “total” reopening of economic activities in Medellín notably does not include schools and does not mention international flights. Without schools, how can the city claim this is a “total” reopening?
Also, international flights are important to the economy in Medellín and Colombia. Tourism typically represents almost 4 percent of the GDP of Colombia and is the third leading source of foreign exchange for Colombia behind oil and coal.
Tourism before the pandemic was growing at a double digit rate in Colombia. But the entire tourism sector has been hit very hard by the quarantine in Colombia. We plan to look at impacts to tourism industry in Colombia in a future article.
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20 thoughts on “Medellín Plans the Total Reopening of Economic Activities in the City”
Is it possible to visit Medellin on September 19
Will international flights be allowed into Bogota sooner than into Medellin?
Very unlikely – Mayors in Cartagena, Cali and Medellín reportedly have requested international flights but may be Cartagena first – see this news in Spanish – https://www.eluniversal.com.co/cartagena/cartagena-seria-la-primera-ciudad-en-reactivar-vuelos-internacionales-CK3369703
The article says they are yet to decide which countries will be allowed to fly, or if international travellers must have a negative test before flying. But it feels like we are getting closer though!
Thousands of people are still getting sick and dying, so this is going to be interesting to watch!
Thanks for the update Jeff! This is great news on the progress in Medellin.
I’m still waiting to see if Colombia will require the 14 day quarantine upon arrival, or if they will do what the US, and other countries are doing by with the CDC cancelling the 14 day requirement, and leaving it up to the local governments now to have the option of requiring just mask wearing, and social distancing.
I’m waiting to go back to Cartagena for business, no need to go back if I have to sit in a hotel for two weeks instead of going to the project jobsite.
Exactly. 14-day requirement is obstructive to economy, business, travel, and tourism. Airports should have PCR test on arrival with results guaranteed within 24 hours (overnight rest in hotel/apartment is nice to have, and just call Rappi delivery) – thats the most definitive and least disruptive way to screen.
Any news or mention about mask wearing? Or do they just plan to continue this part indefinitely?
Mask wearing is still required.
I’m a us American from Florida USA , and my partner is from Medellin .. it’s difficult to visit during pademic .. been waiting since March! Planned a flight out to medellin April but has cancelled .
Do not know when to fly out in Medellin because it has to be humaration flights .
Will the international airports be open and travel industry reopening ?
Hotels open? Thought about going in December but I’m still waiting and find out!
Any recommediation ? Should wait til December or. Later on in 2021?
Thanks
Great news! Hopefully immigration offices will open up again too.
Thanks for the heads up and could you please post something to inform us about the pay per view articles? I saw that on one article and honestly have no idea whether you plan to make the whole site a paid service or what’s going on and imagine I am not alone
Regardless, thank you for all your info. Wise move to set this up the way that you have and I do want to write some articles for you in the future
Currently 20 percent of the articles on Medellin Guru are locked for paying subscribers and this percenters will grow. The minimum cost to subscribe is only $2 per month.
Information about many topics including visas, restaurants and tourist attractions will remain free.
Happy to do that, Jeff. I’m a patron but not sure if that also means a subscriber. Either way, I’m in.
A benefit of being a patron is that you get access to locked content on Medellin Guru. We have been moving to a partial subscription model with some of our best content locked.
Duque made an announcement as well. The article said in part “este martes expedirá el decreto que deja en firme la nueva etapa en la que entrará Colombia a partir del 1 de septiembre.”
Please post what you find out today!
We plan to cover Duque’s announcement in another article late today.
We now have published an article about the quarantine ending on September 1 with details – https://medellinguru.com/colombias-quarantine-ends/
It’s time? Yes.
Jeff…your report says… “Mayor of Medellín, Daniel Quintero, announced on August 24 the “total” reopening of the economic activities of the city, gradually over a period of four months. This decision was made BASED ON THE GOOD RESULTS obtained by the city in its fight against the COVID-19 virus.” huh? Is that what the numbers are saying about Medellin and the valley???
If they are comparing themselves to the US or Brazil they are doing very well. They’ve created more ICU beds and have currently have below 70% occupancy. https://public.tableau.com/views/COVID19_Medellin/COVID19_Medellin the number of cases overall is dropping.
Well said, Will