All Travelers To Colombia Must Now Have Negative COVID PCR Test

As of Thursday, January 7, Colombia’s Ministry of Health is requiring of all inbound international travelers to present a negative COVID-19 test result or alternatively, a statement that the traveler was unable to obtain a test result, followed by a COVID-19 test and/or 14 days of isolation in Colombia.

A negative COVID-19 test result must result from a PCR test administered no more than 96 hours prior to departure.This rule applies to all international arrivals regardless of age (including infants) or nationality. Failure to adhere to Colombian government requirements may result in denial of boarding, detention at the port of entry, and/or removal from Colombia. For further information on the policy of COVID-19 testing for inbound travelers, contact your airline and refer to press from the Government of Colombia here.

It is important to obtain test results as close to the travel date as possible, because if the test results fall outside of the 96-hour window due to a flight delay, regardless of reason, the traveler may be denied boarding.

This test requirement is in addition to the existing “Check-Mig” requirement for both inbound and outbound travelers. All travelers must complete the online Check-Mig form here between 24 hours and 1 hour prior to arrival in, or departure from, Colombia. Carry a print-out of the form and be ready to show the electronic version on his or her mobile device at Colombian immigration.

Ministry of Health Announcement (in Spanish)

When travelers are unable to present a valid and timely PCR test, the health ministry clarified that those passengers should be allowed to board if they verbally state that they had difficulties in taking the aforementioned test or in obtaining the result in the term required prior to the flight; For these purposes, the verbal attestation of the passenger will be sufficient, which will be understood to be made under the gravity of legal oath.

“When boarding the plane, the person states that he had no possibility of taking the test, he arrives in the country and the test is done maintaining isolation while the result of the test arrives. It facilitates the process and allows that there is no problem upon arrival in the country” said minister Dr. Fernando Ruíz Gómez.

According to the health ministry, the passenger must inform the Immigration Officer at the time of entry whether they have the PCR test with a negative result for covid-19 taken within 96 hours prior to boarding or if they choose to: either perform the PCR test in Colombia and remain in medical isolation until receiving a negative result of it or alternatively,  remain in voluntary isolation of 14 days in lieu of a valid test result. In either case, the traveler must provide the address or exact hotel where the traveler will isolate, and is subject to verification and spot checks by medical and immigration authorities.

The traveler is responsible for all costs of testing, isolation, and / or necessary medical treatment.