Additionally, all travelers, including Colombians and foreign visitors must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result, issued within 72 hours before the time and date of boarding the cruise vessel.

View the Ministry of Health’s Resolution 2383 (Spanish) by clicking here.

The proof of vaccination must be presented either in paper format or digitally, and the certificate must include the individual’s full name, date of vaccination, name of the vaccine administered, and the number of doses administered.

Consult the following link for a list of the COVID-19 vaccines accepted for entry to Colombia: https://www.minsalud.gov.co/sites/rid/Lists/BibliotecaDigital/RIDE/DE/COM/lista-vacunas-covid-19.pdf

These entry requirements are in addition to – and do not replace – the existing “Check-Mig” requirement for both inbound and outbound travelers. All travelers must complete the online Check-Mig form between 72 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 your mobile device at Colombian immigration.

Photo: Loren Moss

Proof of vaccination must be presented either on paper or digitally, and must include the individual’s full name, date of vaccination, name of the vaccine administered, and the number of doses administered. Only vaccines authorized by the World Health Organization will be recognized by Colombia under this resolution.

For Colombian citizens, foreign residents of Colombia holding a cédula and/or resident visa, and diplomats and their dependents 18 years and older, vaccinated travelers must present proof they have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 for at least 14 days prior to travel. If less than 14 days have elapsed or if the vaccination scheme is not complete, the traveler must present a PCR test with a negative result taken within 72 hours of boarding.

All international travelers are still required to complete the online Check-Mig form between 72 hours and 1 hour prior to arrival in, or departure from, Colombia. Travelers must present a print-out of the form or be ready to show the electronic version on a mobile device to the transporting airline before receiving a boarding pass, and possibly again at Colombian immigration.

Image by hakan german from Pixabay

New Nationwide Post-Semana Santa Restrictions

Colombia has announced additional measures to reduce the risk of contagion by COVID-19. Movement restrictions in municipal areas will be triggered if hospital occupancy rates of hospital Intensive Care Unit (ICU) reach certain levels. These measures will be in effect from Monday, April 5, until Monday, April 19.

As a courtesy to our readers, this message has been reprinted in its entirety as issued by the US Embassy in Bogotá.

For information on your city’s specific restrictions and ICU occupancy rate, consult local media and the Colombian Ministry of Health website.

For cities with ICU occupancy of 85% or higher:

• Complete restriction on movement from 6 PM to 5 AM. Medellin, Santa Marta, and Cali currently meet this threshold.

For cities with ICU occupancy of 80% to 84%:

• Complete restriction on movement from 8 PM to 5 AM. Barranquilla currently meets this threshold.

For cities with ICU occupancy of 70% to 79%:

• Complete restriction on movement from 10 PM to 5 AM. Manizales currently meets this threshold.

For cities with ICU occupancy of 50% to 69%:

• Complete restriction on movement from Midnight to 5 AM. Bogota, Bucaramanga, Villavicencio, Armenia, Monteria, and Pereira currently meet this threshold

Please note that Pico y Cedula will be in effect in localities with ICU occupancy rates of 50% or above. Restaurants and parks are exempt from implementing Pico y Cedula measures. Under this policy only one member of each family may leave the home for shopping, banking, and any other services or errands. Businesses will allow entry to individuals based on the last number of their ID according to the following guidelines:

• On odd-numbered dates, people with IDs ending in even numbers may enter.
• On even-numbered dates, people with IDs ending in odd numbers may enter.

Local governments can take additional, more restrictive measures. You should monitor media reports for more specific information in your area. Refer to the municipal website of your locale for specific Pico y Cedula information.

COVID Testing Requirements

​Starting on April 7 until further notice, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection is requiring that all Colombians and foreign residents present a negative COVID PCR test to enter Colombia by air.

Further Information

• Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.
• Review the CDC’s latest recommendations on reducing your risk of contagion.
• Review the State Department’s guidance on travel during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in Colombia.

Assistance

• U.S. Embassy Bogota, Colombia
  Tel. +57-1-275-2000
• acsbogota@state.gov
  https://co.usembassy.gov/
• U.S. Consular Agency, Barranquilla
  conagencybarranquilla@state.gov
• U.S. Department of State – Consular Affairs
  1-888-407-4747 or 1-202-501-4444
• Colombia Country Information
• Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates
• Follow us on Facebook and Twitter

Based on the government website, visitors who have been in or transited through Colombia in the previous 10 days cannot enter the UK. British and Irish nationals, and third country nationals with residence rights in the UK arriving in the UK from Colombia will need to self-isolate with their households on their return.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office issued an advisory for British nationals against all but essential travel to the whole of Colombia based on the current assessment of COVID-19 risks, and for security reasons the FCDO advised against travel to:

• the departments of Arauca and Guaviare (except their capital cities)
• the department of Chocó (except its capital Quibdó, the whale-watching towns of Nuquí and Bahía Solano, and the tourist site of Capurganá)
• the Ariari region of southern Meta (except the tourist site of Caño Cristales – if travelling to Caño Cristales, travel by air to and from the town of La Macarena with a reputable tour company)
• the South Pacific, Sanquianga and Telembi regions of Nariño
• the Western region of Cauca
• Buenaventura in the department of Valle del Cauca
• the Urabá and Bajo Cauca regions of Antioquia
• the region of Southern-Bolívar
• the region of Southern-Córdoba
• the Catatumbo region of Norte de Santander
• Orito, San Miguel, Valle del Guamuez, Puerto Caicedo, Puerto Guzmán, Puerto Asis and Puerto Leguizamo in Putumayo
• Cartagena del Chairá, San Vicente del Caguan, Puerto Rico, El Doncello, Paujil and La Montañita in Caquetá
• the municipality of Puerto Carreño in Vichada, except the departmental capital
• within 5km of the Venezuelan border and within 5km of the Ecuadorian border, except for the border crossing on the Pan-American highway, at Ipiales.

Beginning 4am on January 15, 2021 visitors who have been in or transited through Colombia in the previous 10 days cannot enter the UK. British and Irish nationals, and third country nationals with residence rights in the UK arriving in the UK from Colombia will need to self-isolate with their households on their return. Click here for the latest guidance for England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Following the December 20 announcement by the Colombian Government to restrict flights to and from the UK, travelers cannot enter Colombia if their journey started in the UK, but with some exceptions to this (see Entry requirements). Direct flights to and from London have been suspended until further notice.

Travel is subject to entry restrictions

Arrivals to Colombia are subject to mandatory entry requirements:

• For air travel into Colombia, a negative PCR test issued within 96 hours prior to boarding will be required for all passengers, including children.
• Travelers without a negative PCR test may be asked to complete a written form explaining why they were unable to get a test or the results in time prior to being allowed to board by the airline. Passengers will be required to take the test upon arrival and to self-isolate either for 14 days or until a negative test result is received
• Between 24 hours and 1 hour before departure, travelers must fill out the ‘Check-Mig’ form, available on the Migración Colombia website. The traveler will receive a confirmation email that must be presented upon arrival in Colombia. Travelers also will need to complete this form 24 hours before departure from Colombia.
• Travelers must not present a fever or respiratory symptoms associated with Covid-19 prior to boarding the aircraft.
• The use of a mask is mandatory for everyone over two years of age throughout the flight.
• Travelers must bring spare facemasks and follow the airline’s instructions on how regularly to change them during the flight.
• Travelers must stay in your assigned seat during the entire flight.
• If travelers develop any Covid-19 symptoms within 14 days of arriving in Colombia, they must inform the local health ministry representative, as well as the airlines booked or flown. Land and river borders are closed at least until January 16th.

See Entry requirements before planning travel.

UK Residents Preparing To Return to the UK

If a traveler wishes to return to the UK from overseas, he or she must:

• provide his or her journey and contact details before travel
• check if there are self-isolation requirements upon return

Read UK government advice on foreign travel during the coronavirus pandemic and sign up for email alerts for this travel advice.

When travelling to Colombia during the coronavirus pandemic, British nationals are advised to see the Coronavirus page for more information.

During the COVID-19 pandemic it is more important than ever to get travel insurance and verify coverage. See the FCDO’s guidance on foreign travel insurance.

There have been large scale protests in recent months which could recur at any time. These demonstrations can be confrontational and may turn violent. A number of people have been killed and injured. Travelers should remain vigilant, avoid all demonstrations, and monitor local media for the latest information.

The UK government is of the opinion that “terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Colombia.” The security situation can change very quickly in many areas of the country. All travelers should pay close attention to warnings issued by the Colombian authorities.

Additional Information From The UK Government

Despite high levels of crime, most visits to Colombia are trouble-free. See Crime

For British abroad who need emergency help from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission. Consular support is limited in parts of Colombia where the British government advises against all but essential travel and areas where there is a limited state presence. When consular support is unavailable, the British Embassy will liaise with local authorities to request assistance.

To contact emergency services, call 123 (in Spanish).

UK health authorities have classified Colombia as having a risk of Zika virus transmission. For more information and advice, visit the website of the National Travel Health Network and Centre website.

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating overseas on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.

Ruíz indicated that during December 2020, the country expects 120,000 inbound travelers, between tourists and Colombians returning from abroad. “As long as the Ministry of Health does not apply the ruling and does not change the rule, the situation will continue the same,” said Ruíz.

“For the people who are traveling to Colombia we want to tell them that while this situation supplies the entire legal process, they will be able to continue coming to Colombia without taking the PCR test and without having to be subjected to a mandatory 14-day quarantine,” he said.

In late November, an attorney, Alberto González Mebarack, launched a lawsuit in Bogotá to demand that the Colombian Ministry of Health reimpose the requirement for a negative PCR test on any traveler entering Colombia. After considering the demand for 11 days, the judge initially ruled in favor of the attorney, who claimed that the motivation for his suit was that Colombia does not have sufficient health care capacity to control risks caused by such international travel.

Photo courtesy Colombian Health Ministry