Let me give you some advice for visiting Colombia. Honestly, most of it applies almost anywhere, so I hope you find it useful wherever you travel.

One of the things I love about Colombia is that it is a genuinely polite society. People here aren’t just nice, they’re polite — and usually, even when they’re not feeling nice, they’re still polite. But there are a couple of credit card traps worth knowing about before you go. They aren’t common, and I don’t want to be alarmist, but they do happen, especially in tourist-trap areas where the person ringing you up figures they will never have to face you again. Think the tourist zones of Cartagena, the Zona T in Bogotá, or Parque Lleras in Medellín — places with plenty of drinking and carousing.

First, some good news. Colombia is actually ahead of the US on everyday card acceptance: even small shops and restaurants take cards and have tap-to-pay readers. And unlike in the US, where a server often disappears into the back with your card, here they bring the reader to your table, or you step up to the counter where the machine is. You rarely lose sight of your card, which is more secure. But here are the two scams.

Scam No. 1: the wrong amount entered on the reader. This one is on the merchant. They punch in some random, inflated amount — not your actual bill — and count on you tapping your card without glancing at the screen. Making it worse, many machines in Colombia don’t print a paper voucher. In my experience the Home Center hardware chain and the Jumbo grocery chain are both notorious for that. I’m not accusing them of anything shady — I shop at both — but I like a printed voucher so I can confirm everything matches what we agreed.

“Before you tap, make sure the amount on the reader is correct. Politely ask to verify it. That’s all.” — Loren Moss, Finance Colombia

If you’re charged the wrong amount, your only recourse is to go back and chase it down once you notice, which might be the next day. By then the same staff may not be working, or the place may still be closed from the night before. This matters even more with a debit card than a credit card: with debit you don’t have the same protections, and once the money leaves your account it can be very hard, or impossible, to get back.

The fix is simple. Before you tap, make sure the amount on the reader is correct. If they try to take the card from your hand, politely ask them to show you the amount they entered first. That’s all it takes.

Scam No. 2: dynamic currency conversion. This one really gets under my skin, and it’s run by the card networks and ATM operators, not the shop. At the register or the cash machine, they “kindly” offer you a choice — pay or withdraw in Colombian pesos, or in your home currency, such as US dollars or euros. Choose your home currency and they hit you with a lousy exchange rate plus a commission, usually around 7%. It’s right there on the screen. You’re paying roughly 7% for absolutely nothing. The industry calls this dynamic currency conversion, and you should always decline it.

The numbers add up fast. Pull $2 million COP out of an ATM — roughly $550 USD right now — and selecting dollars can cost you up to $60 USD extra. That’s $60 USD handed over for free. Always choose to be charged in pesos, the local currency.

Here’s the nuance: that money goes to the banks, not to the cashier or the ATM attendant, so don’t take it out on the person in front of you. Many readers don’t even offer the trick and simply charge in pesos — the gas station in my neighborhood is like that, and I love it. But when the option does come up, the reader literally flashes a message telling the clerk to “hand the machine to the customer.” A lot of them ignore it because they’re rushing, cycle through, and hit “dollars” without asking. So always check your voucher and confirm they didn’t.

This has happened to me at least three times. Once, at a Papa John’s (NASDAQ: PZZA), the cashier was hammering the buttons. “Cóbrame en pesos,” I told him, firmly, because he didn’t look like he was paying attention. He ignored me and charged the dollar rate anyway. I insisted he reverse it. He didn’t know how and didn’t have the authorization, so he had to call his manager for the codes. It took 20 minutes while the carry-out line backed up — but that was his mistake, not mine.

Another time, at a mini-Carulla in Bogotá — Carulla is a nice grocery chain — the cashier never even asked and charged me in dollars. Same drill: I made him reverse it. He had to wake his manager up by phone, because he had neither the authority nor the know-how. That one took 40 minutes. He tried to send me back the next day; absolutely not — your mistake, you fix it now. He swore the machine never asked about pesos or dollars, so after he voided the charge, we ran it again slowly, step by step. Sure enough, right there on the screen: “dollars or pesos?” He’d simply ignored it. He learned something that day, the hard way. Stand up for your rights.

A related tip: if you travel internationally, don’t use a card that charges foreign transaction fees. There’s no good excuse for it. Bank of America (NYSE: BAC), for instance, charges them on its debit cards unless you carry a very high balance, so I don’t use them abroad. For debit, I like the Charles Schwab (NYSE: SCHW) checking account card, but there are others — your credit union may offer a good deal, and credit unions exist worldwide (in Colombia they’re called cooperativas). For credit, I use the JPMorgan Chase (NYSE: JPM) Sapphire Reserve: strong travel benefits and, crucial for me, no foreign transaction fee. If you don’t need the premium perks, the Sapphire Preferred is a solid travel card too. Nobody pays me to say this, and they are not a sponsor — these are just cards I use personally. If you use my referral link, I might earn a few airline miles as a thank-you.

Has anything like this happened to you? What’s the worst rip-off you’ve run into while traveling? I once wrote about a literal tourist trap in Medellín — a bar in Parque Lleras that was kidnapping and extorting foreign tourists, slapping absurd tabs like $500 USD on a few drinks and refusing to let people leave until they paid. They finally got busted. Tell me your stories in the comments, on YouTube or on our channels on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

One last thing. Beyond the usual “like and subscribe” — which does tell the platform you want more of this — I’d ask you not to trust the algorithm. Some ornery politician, whether it’s Uribe or Petro here in Colombia, or Donald Trump or Xi Jinping, could get annoyed and pull strings to get a creator de-platformed. You’ve surely seen it happen, where a YouTuber or podcaster simply vanishes. So please also subscribe to our newsletter; the link is below. I’ll never share your email — we’ve been in business for over a decade, and we never have and never will. For Finance Colombia, just go to FCSubscribe.com.

I’m Loren Moss, publisher of Finance Colombia. Thank you, and be kind, be safe, and stay smart.

Colombia has modified the rules for bringing drones and their spare parts into the country for security reasons. The measure was established through Resolution 000242 of 2025 issued by the Dirección de Impuestos y Aduanas Nacionales (DIAN) and has been in effect since January 11, 2026.

The regulation was adopted “with the objective of preventing the illegal entry of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS/drones) and mitigating the risks associated with their misuse.” According to the DIAN in a press release, the provisions aim to “strengthen national security against the possible use of these devices in criminal activities, such as indiscriminate attacks against security forces and the civilian population.”

Under the directive, drones may enter the country through two mechanisms. The first is by submitting an Advance Import Declaration (Declaración Anticipada de Importaciones, by its Spanish name), which must be filed five calendar days before travel through the Customs Services (Servicio de Aduanas) section of the official DIAN website at www.dian.gov.co. The second option is to complete DIAN Form 530 upon arrival in the country.

In both cases, travelers must present the original purchase invoice, declare the intended use of the drone, and pay the corresponding import taxes, regardless of the price already paid for the equipment in the country of purchase. In some cases, DIAN may also request an inspection of the device.

The regulation establishes that drones or their parts may only enter the country if they comply with this standard import procedure.

Another key aspect of the resolution is that drones may only enter Colombia through two authorized entry points: the port of Cartagena and El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá. If a drone is brought into the country through any other location, customs authorities may seize it.

DIAN also clarified that travelers should “refrain from bringing this type of merchandise under the traveler import modality.” If they attempt to do so, customs authorities will require the change of modality so that the device can be processed through ordinary import procedures, provided that the arrival occurred through the authorized entry points. Entry through other locations is not permitted and could result in the seizure of the merchandise.

Additionally, the resolution states that drones cannot enter the country through postal shipments or express courier services, meaning international deliveries of these devices may be subject to confiscation.

Retail companies may continue selling drones in the Colombian market, provided they comply with import procedures and pay the applicable taxes. However, these requirements may lead to delays and additional costs for final consumers.

According to the magazine Cambio Colombia, the measure responds to the growing use of drones in criminal activities. These “recreational or productive technologies have begun appearing in high-risk scenarios such as illegal surveillance, the transport of explosives, criminal intelligence operations, and even attacks against security forces.”

Defense Minister, Major General (ret.) Pedro Arnulfo Sánchez Suárez, confirmed that 162 drone attacks against security forces were recorded in the country during the past year. According to the minister, the resolution will make it possible to “know exactly who is purchasing drones and what their intended purpose and use are. This will allow us to protect the population and prevent a tool designed for progress and development from being used to kill Colombians.”

In general terms, Resolution 000242 establishes three main rules for bringing drones into Colombia:

1. Mandatory advance declaration for importers, including travelers.
2. Restriction of entry to two authorized points: the port of Cartagena and El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá.
3. A total ban on postal or express courier shipments of drones.

Additionally, drones that weigh more than 250 grams or are used for professional activities must be registered with Aerocivil, Colombia’s civil aviation authority. Failure to register the device or operating it without authorization may result in fines.

Above photo: DJI drone courtesy DJI

Finance Colombia presents a short documentary by Loren Moss about San Basilio de Palenque, its people, its history in their own words, and how the town is doing today. Its inhabitants, the Palenqueros, also share advice for those who wish to visit.

Special thanks to:

• The people of San Basilio de Palenque, los Palenqueros
• El Maestro Rafael Cassiani (RIP) and his family
• The musical group Kombilesa Mi, especially Ali Mc PM & Afroneto
• HBCU Connect, LLC
• Chevron Petroleum
• The Talento Total Foundation

VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL https://youtu.be/LdDYDpm6m6k?si=-I7qQbGIfV_QgYsP

• Produced by Unido Digital Media, LLC https://unidodigital.media/
• Read more: Finance Colombia: https://www.financecolombia.com/
• Subscribe to Finance Colombia for free: https://www.fcsubscribe.com/
• The place for bilingual talent! https://empleobilingue.com/
• More about Loren Moss: https://lorenmoss.com/
• Contact us: https://unidodigital.media/contact-unido-digital-llc/

Jetsmart’s CEO Estuardo Ortiz was on hand, and we were even able to get a few words with him before the flight boarded.

Finance Colombia Executive Editor Loren Moss flew their inaugural domestic route last month, between Bogotá and Medellín; his first time ever flying JetSmart. The airline also plans route cooperation with US-based American Airlines, which is a major investor in JetSmart, along with US private equity firm Indigo Partners.

Indigo Partners LLC is a private equity firm established by W. A. Franke in 2003 to pursue acquisitions and strategic investments in the air transportation and related industries. The firm was a lead investor in Tiger Airways based in Singapore and Spirit Airlines based in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and maintains lead investments in Wizz Air Holdings, Plc, a ULCC with multiple bases in Central and Eastern Europe; Frontier Airlines, a ULCC based in Denver; Volaris Airlines, a ULCC based in Mexico City; Cebu Pacific, a ULCC based in the Philippines; and JetSMART, a ULCC based in Chile. Indigo is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona.

Have you flown JetSmart? What do you think? Let us know in the comments.

Utilizing JetSmart[s fleet of 25 Airbus A320neo and A321neo aircraft, the airline says that the Medellín-Lima route will operate five times a week: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, starting its flights from November 8, 2023. The Cartagena-Lima route will begin on December 7 with flights on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. For its part, the Cúcuta-Lima route will begin on December 12 with flights on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

JetSmart’s passenger traffic has increased by 70% over the previous year (1^st 5 months)

“We are excited to offer travelers in Colombia a new option to get to Peru. We recognize the potential and importance of these routes, and we are pleased to contribute to air connectivity, the dynamization of the market and the significant economic and cultural exchange between these cities. Our commitment to travelers is to provide low prices without sacrificing the quality of service, with an introductory fee from US $30 per way, plus rates for each of these routes, leaving a total rate with rates of $128 USD from Cúcuta, $130 USD from Cartagena and $125 USD from Medellín to Lima. The new routes and these prices can be purchased from this day directly in www.jetsmart.com or through travel agencies,” said JetSmart’s Chief Commercial Officer Victor Mejia (above photo).

The airline says that it continues progressing towards certification to fly domestic routes, replacing a hole in the market left by the demise of Colombian low-cost carriers Viva and Ultra Air earlier this year. JetSmart recently entered a codeshare alliance with American Airlines, also an investor in the low-cost carrier, enabling convenient connections with baggage pass-through on connecting flights, and benefits for members of the AAdvantage loyalty program.

Photos: Loren Moss

Clearly this came too late to save the Investment Grade at S&P or Fitch due to the previous structure of the bill – a disaster for the country in both economic and social terms as Colombia ripped itself apart on the streets. But that is now in the past and Colombia needs to look forward. As Finance Minister Restrepo points out, the priority right now is for the country to regain its financial credibility which previous to the pandemic was one of the most admired across Latin America. The “line in the sand” fiscal rule has now gone but due to the measures taken there is the hope that the deficit will drop from the anticipated 8.6% in 2021 to 2.7% in 2026.

The hope now is that the country can put the tax reform, and the protests that accompanied them, behind it – it is a long shot that the ratings agencies will do anything in the near future, trust needs to be built and ahead of what will be a bitterly fought election – that will be tough.

The country’s recovery will depend on all manner of factors going forward. Life is firmly into the ‘new normal’ mode as we continue to adapt to COVID. There are still issues with vaccine supply and also the usual hard core who fear that the WHO is injecting 5G chips into their bodies but one of the biggest issues that remains is not ‘injection reluctance’ but ‘office reluctance’. Bogota remains a relative ghost town when the mom & pop businesses that sit on every street corner need the offices full in order for them to survive.

We saw consumer confidence disappoint last week; the hope is that Duque’s signature yesterday will help that situation. The propensity number to purchase housing, consumer durables and vehicles is still struggling however at least in that last category we are seeing some recovery. Through August a total of 53,852 vehicles were sold, an increase of 54% YoY and only down 5% versus 2019.

Rupert’s opinions & analysis as an independent expert contributor are his own and not necessarily those of Finance Colombia or the BVC.

These are still small acorns, but there is big pickup in electric and hybrid vehicles. Over 5,000  vehicles were sold during the first half of this year The government also appears set to remove the quota on how many such cars are subject  to the 5% import tariff as opposed to the standard 35%. Thus far there is a preference for hybrid due to the ongoing lack of electric infrastructure however this is slowly improving.

Another area which is still spluttering into life is internal tourism. According to the DANE in Q2 8.1% of the populous undertook a trip, in 2019 (2020 really isn’t a comparison) that number stood at 17.9%. To many this will be a surprise given that the airlines internally have seen one of the fastest recoveries in domestic travel.

The big dog as ever when it comes to the Peso, which continues to struggle despite inflows into the bond markets from overseas in August, is oil. Production is struggling to recover – in July it stood at 731,255 boepd , up 5.3% MoM however still down 0.5% from 12 months ago. This is something of a lost opportunity with Brent prices cresting $70 again with the oil bulls again speculating about $100 oil. This week we even saw the return of an oil scourge, the dynamiting of overland pipelines by terrorists. Ecopetrol doesn’t anticipate any severe disruption, but a very unwelcome development.

Still much to do…

That is about it for today – remember these are just themes that jump out at me – please refer to your local analyst, economist, salesperson or soothsayer for more details.

 My regards to all,

 Roops

On January 12, 2021, CDC announced an Order requiring all air passengers arriving to the US from a foreign country to get tested no more than 3 days before their flight departs and to present the negative result or documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 to the airline before boarding the flight. Air passengers will also be required to confirm that the information they present is true in the form of an attestation. This Order is effective as of 12:01am EST (5:01am GMT) on January 26, 2021.

Reprinted from the US Government’s Centers for Disease Control Website for the convenience & safety of our readers

As of January 26, 2021, this Order replaces a previous order signed by the CDC Director on December 25, 2020, requiring a negative pre-departure COVID-19 test result for all airline passengers arriving into the United States from the United Kingdom.

After You Travel

1. Get tested3-5 days after travel AND stay home to self-quarantine for 7 days after travel.
2. Even if you test negative, stay home to self-quarantine for the full 7 days.
3. If your test is positive, isolate yourself to protect others from getting infected.​​
4. ​If you don’t get tested, it’s safest to stay home to self-quarantinefor 10 days after travel.​
5. Avoid being around people who are at increased risk for severe illness illness for 14 days, whether you get tested or not.
6. Always ​follow state and local recommendations or requirements related to travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this requirement apply to US citizens?

This Order applies to all air passengers, 2 years of age or older, traveling into the US, including US citizens and legal permanent residents.

Are foreign nationals no longer subject to Presidential Proclamation travel restrictions if they can show a negative test or documentation of recovery?

The CDC order does not replace the Presidential proclamations. Therefore, a negative test result for COVID-19 or documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 to the airline before boarding the flight does not exempt a foreign national from the travel restrictions outlined in the Presidential proclamations.

With specific exceptions, several Presidential proclamations suspend and limit entry into the United States, as immigrants or nonimmigrants, all aliens who were physically present within specific countries during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry into the United States.

For a full list of countries and links to the proclamations on the White House website, visit Travelers Prohibited from Entry to the United States.

Are territories or possessions of the US considered foreign countries for the purposes of this Order?

No, the Order to present a documentation of a negative COVID-19 test or recovery from COVID-19 does not apply to air passengers flying from a US territory or possession to a US state.

US territories and possessions of the US include American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.

When does this order take effect?

This Order will go into effect on January 26, 2021.

What is an attestation?

An attestation is a statement, writing, entry, or other representation under 18 U.S.C. § 1001 that confirms that the information provided is true.

Does this Order apply to land border crossings?

No, the requirements of this Order only apply to air travel into the US.

Who is checking to make sure that people have a negative test or documentation of recovery before they board a plane to the US?

The airline will confirm a COVID-19 negative test result or documentation of recovery for all passengers before boarding.

Will CDC provide information about international testing locations?

CDC is unable to provide information about locations and availability of testing in other countries. Check COVID-19 Country Specific Information for information on how and where to get tested in the country from which you are traveling or contact local authorities in that country.

Does an at home test qualify?

The Order requires a lab report to be presented to the airline or to public health officials upon request. A home specimen collection kit that is tested in a laboratory should meet the requirements, if such methods have been approved by the country’s national health authorities.

What is a verifiable test result?

A verifiable test result must be in the form of written documentation (paper or electronic copy) of a laboratory test result. Testing must be performed using a viral test (NAAT or antigen), and negative results must be presented to the airline prior to boarding. The test result documentation must include information that identifies the person, a specimen collection date and the type of test. A negative test result must show test was done within the 3 days before the flight. A positive test result must show the test was done within the 3 months before the flight.

What if I have had a COVID-19 vaccine or have tested positive for antibodies? Do I still need a negative COVID-19 test or documentation of recovery from COVID-19?

Yes, at this time all air passengers traveling to the US, regardless of vaccination or antibody status, are required to provide a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery.

When do I need to get a test to travel to the US and what kind of test do I need?

Get tested no more than 3 days before your flight to the US departs. Make sure to be tested with a viral test (NAAT or antigen test) to determine if you are currently infected with COVID-19. Also make sure that you receive your results before your flight departs and have documentation of your results to show the airline.

Do state and local governments in the US have separate testing requirements for air passengers?

Federal testing requirements must be met to board a plane to the US. Some state and local governments may have similar or more restrictive testing requirements for air passengers arriving in their jurisdictions. Always check and follow state and local recommendations or requirements related to travel in addition to federal requirements.

Do I still need a test if my trip is shorter than 3 days?

Yes, you will still need a test if your trip is shorter than 3 days. A viral test done in the US can be used to fulfill the requirements of the Order as long as the specimen was taken no more than 3 days before your return flight departs.

If your return travel is delayed longer than 3 days after your test, you will need to be retested before your return flight.

What if I recently recovered from COVID-19?

CDC does not recommend getting tested again in the three months after a positive viral test, as long as you do not have symptoms of COVID-19. If you have had a positive viral test in the past 3 months, and you have met the criteria to end isolation, you may travel instead with documentation of your positive viral test results and a letter from your healthcare provider or a public health official that states you have been cleared for travel. The positive test result and letter together are referred to as “documentation of recovery.”

A letter from your healthcare provider or a public health official that clears you to end isolation, e.g., to return to work or school, can be used to show you are cleared to travel, even if travel isn’t specifically mentioned in the letter.

What happens if I don’t take a test and want to travel to the US?

Air passengers traveling to the US are required to present a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery. Airlines must confirm the negative test result or documentation of recovery for all passengers before boarding. If a passenger chooses not to present a test result or documentation of recovery, the airline must deny boarding to the passenger.

What if I am overseas and can’t get tested before my flight?

Passengers should contact the airline regarding options for changing their departure date to allow time for a test, see if the airline has identified options for testing, or if there are options available for changing their flights to transit through a location where they can get tested before boarding their final flight to the United States.

What happens if I test positive?

People should self-isolate and delay their travel if symptoms develop or a pre-departure test result is positive until they have recovered from COVID-19. Airlines must refuse to board anyone who does not present a negative test result for COVID-19 or documentation of recovery.

What kind of documentation of my test result do I need to present?

CDC requires that air passengers arriving in the US have a paper or electronic copy of their test result for review by the airline before you board and for potential review by public health officials after you arrive in the US.

Can I get an exemption or waiver to the testing requirement?

Exemptions may be granted on an extremely limited basis when emergency travel (like an emergency medical evacuation) must occur to preserve someone’s life, health against a serious danger, or physical safety and testing cannot be completed before travel.

Do passengers also need to have a copy of their attestation as well as the airline retaining it?

Passengers are only required to retain a paper or electronic copy of their negative test result or documentation of recovery for the entirety of their itinerary.  The attestation should be submitted to and retained by the airline or aircraft operator.

What happens if my flight is delayed and it goes over the 3-day limit for testing?

If your flight is delayed before departure, you will need to get re-tested if the delay causes your test to fall outside of the 3-day pre-departure testing period requirement.

If I am connecting through the US to another country, do I still need to get tested?

Yes.  Any flight entering the US, even for a connection, will require testing before departure.

If I have one or more connecting flights to the US, does the 3-day period apply to the first flight or the last one?

If you are arriving on a direct flight to the US, your test must be done within the 3 days before your flight to the US departs. If you are arriving to the US via one or more connecting flights, your test must be done in the 3 days before the first flight in your itinerary, but only if the connecting flights were booked as a single passenger record with a final destination in the US and each connection (layover) is no longer than 24 hours long. If your connecting flight to the US was booked separately or a connection in your itinerary lasts longer than 24 hours, you will need to get tested within the 3 days before your flight that arrives in the US.

If I tested negative before my flight, do I need to get another test when I get to the US?

CDC recommends that travelers get tested 3-5 days after travel AND stay home or otherwise self-quarantine for 7 days after travel. Even if you test negative, stay home for the full 7 days. If you don’t get tested, it’s safest to stay home for 10 days. Always follow state and local recommendations or requirements related to travel.

All travelers (including those who have recovered from COVID-19) should remember to wear a mask, stay at least 6 feet apart from people who are not in your household, and wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after blowing their nose, coughing, or sneezing and before eating. Travelers should look for symptoms of COVID-19, and take your temperature if you feel sick. Anyone sick with symptoms of COVID-19 should self-isolate and delay further travel.

For more information, visit After You Travel Internationally

Do I need to get a test before leaving the US?

At this time, CDC does not have a testing requirement for outbound travelers, but recommends that you get tested with a viral test (NAAT or antigen) 1-3 days before you travel internationally. Travelers should check with international destinations for their entry requirements.

What is the justification for letting people who recently recovered from COVID-19 travel without a negative test? What about reinfections?

People who have recovered from COVID-19 can continue to test positive for up to 3 months after their infection. CDC does not recommended retesting within 3 months after a person with COVID-19 first developed symptoms (or the date of their first positive viral diagnostic test if their infection was asymptomatic). Even if they have recovered from COVID-19, people who develop symptoms of COVID-19 should not travel and should seek care for testing and evaluation. This guidance may be updated as additional information about people who have recovered from COVID-19 becomes available.

Can CDC help me get a refund for travel expenses if I have to cancel or delay travel because of testing requirements for air passengers flying to the US?

CDC does not reimburse and is unable to help travelers get reimbursements for travel expenses as a result of canceled or delayed travel because of COVID-19 or testing requirements for air passengers flying to the US. While some companies may base their policies on CDC’s travel recommendations or requirements, each company establishes its own refund policies.

In some cases, trip cancellation insurance can protect your financial investment in a trip if you need to change your itinerary in the event of an international outbreak. Visit CDC’s Travelers’ Health website if you would like to learn more about travel insurance, including trip cancellation insurance.

Will CDC reimburse me for the cost of a COVID-19 test?

CDC is not able to reimburse travelers for COVID-19 testing fees. You may wish to contact your insurance provider or the location that provided your test about payment options.

Aircraft Operators/Airlines/Crew FAQ

Does this order apply to all flights or just commercial flights?

This order applies to all flights, including private flights and general aviation aircraft (charter flights). Passengers traveling by air into the US are required to have proof of testing regardless of flight type.

Does the Order apply at pre-clearance ports?

Yes, the Order applies to all air passengers arriving from foreign countries.

What types of crew are exempt from the requirements of the Order? What types of travel by crew are exempt from the requirements of the Order?

Crew members on official duty assigned by the air carrier or operator that involves operation of aircraft, or the positioning of crew not operating the aircraft (i.e., on “deadhead” status), are exempt from the requirements of the Order provided their assignment is under an air carrier’s or operator’s occupational health and safety program. For the exemption to apply, the occupational health and safety program must follow industry standard protocols for the prevention of COVID-19 as set forth in relevant Safety Alerts for Operators (SAFOs)  issued jointly by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and CDC. Other persons, such as maintenance personnel or contractors, may also be exempted if:

Their travel is for the purpose of operating the aircraft or ensuring the safety of flight operations; AND

The air carrier extends its occupational health and safety program to cover these individuals and ensures these persons follow the protocols contained in SAFO and CDC guidance; AND

The travel cannot be planned with sufficient time to enable the employee to take a COVID-19 test and obtain the results before the operational travel.

Air carriers or operators who assign their crew to travel in an official duty status (i.e., position or deadhead) on another air carrier should coordinate with that air carrier regarding their crew member’s eligibility for an exemption from testing. The air carrier should provide the crew member with any required documentation in addition to the crew member’s identification.

Crew members traveling for training, commuting to or from work, or for business reasons not associated with the operation of the aircraft are not exempt from the testing requirement. Nor are crew traveling for personal reasons, such as leisure travel.

Operators of aircraft that are not operating under an air carrier’s or operator’s occupational health and safety program as described above are not exempt from the requirements of the Order.

Where can airlines find the industry protocols that crew must follow to qualify for the exemption?

See Safety Alert for Operators for the relevant guidance issued jointly by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Will the US Government release the attestation form in other languages?

At this time, the attestation form is not available in other languages. Airlines and aircraft operators may use a third party to provide translations of the attestation. However, the airline or aircraft operator is responsible for ensuring the accuracy of any translation. The airline or aircraft operator may not shift this responsibility to a third party.

The attestation may be difficult for our passengers to understand. Can the US Government or airlines provide a simpler version?

At this time, there is no alternative form of attestation. Airlines and aircraft operators must use the current attestation without alternation.

What should airlines and operators of private flights or general aviation aircraft do with passenger attestations?

Operators of private flights and general aviation aircraft must maintain passenger attestations for two years, per the Order.

Do airlines and operators of private flights or general aviation aircraft need to keep copies of passenger test results?

No, passengers must show a copy of their test results to airline employees or the aircraft operator before boarding, but the airline or aircraft operator does not need to retain copies of test results.

Content source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD), Division of Viral Diseases

Headline photo courtesy Viva Air

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

In his new role as director of sales and distribution for Viva, his job will be to work closely with travel agencies and other travel and tourism industry actors to consolidate Viva’s position in both the tourist and corporate segments, as the smartest option to fly.

For all commercial contacts and distribution channel affairs, Zapata will be available from December 1 via email at juandiego.zapata@vivaair.com.

Photo courtesy Viva Air

The airline restarted its service with a daily flight from Medellín and Cali and three weekly flights from Cartagena, as well as a daily flight from Bogotá to Panama City starting October 14. On these flights, Copa Airlines is operating the Boeing 737-800 aircraft with the capacity to transport 160 passengers, 16 in business class and 144 in the main cabin.

Copa has relaunched international flights from Medellín, Cali, Cartagena & Bogotá to its Panamá City hub and from there, other international destinations.

“Reconnecting Colombia, through our Hub of the Americas fills us with optimism, since, with these flights, we will be able to serve thousands of passengers who wish to return home, reunite with their families, return to their favorite rest destinations, attending to health issues, important meetings, family or professional commitments ”, said Pedro Heilbron (above photo), executive president of Copa Airlines. “We are committed to the economic and tourism development of the countries we serve and will continue to focus on progressively reestablishing the important connectivity that we offered before the start of this pandemic.”

In the case of Colombia, the airline is working with tourism and travel agencies and government entities to develop strategies to restore confidence in traveling to the country as a safe tourist destination. With Colombia’s investment promotion agency Procolombia, Copa Airlines is working on a two-phase campaign promoting the country in other countries of the continent with the slogan “We are waiting for you soon,” highlighting that Colombia is prepared and eager to receive tourists and travelers for various purposes, and the second phase consisting of direct work with the main sales channels in countries where there is historically a greater demand for trips to Colombia, in order to bring more passengers to the country.

Air tickets are available and can be purchased through Copa.com and travel agencies. Flights are subject to changes in origin, date and time due to government restrictions, demand and other circumstances. Passengers who have a valid ticket with Copa Airlines will be able to manage date changes without charging a change penalty.

Copa Airlines has implemented disinfection, hygiene and biosecurity measures and protocols in its operations, to offer a safe environment at each stage of the trip. These measures were developed by a medical committee specialized in biosecurity, following the recommendations of national and international health authorities.

Additionally, all its aircraft are equipped with high-efficiency filters (HEPA), which purify up to 99.97% of virus and bacteria particles, similar to an operating room according to the manufacturer. In addition, its cabin air recirculation system renews the air every 2-3 minutes, and its vertical movement prevents it from being shared with passengers on the sides and in front.