U.S. Embassy in Colombia

Location: Colombia 

Event: COVID-19 Quarantine Extension and Update 

COVID-19 Quarantine Update:  President Duque has extended isolation measures in Colombia to May 31, with the Health Emergency extended to August 31. For the President’s full announcement, visit the Presidency website.

The national quarantine extension to May 31 includes the guidelines for health protocols. Please contact your local authorities with questions regarding regulations in the area where you reside, as they may vary by department and city. 

President Duque has called for a gradual resumption of activity during the months of June, July, and August:  

Beginning June 1:  

• Retail, hairdressers, housekeeping, libraries, museums and non-COVID-related medical services will begin reopening, and 
• Children age five and under will be permitted outside with restrictions.

Through June 30: 

• People over the age of 70 will remain under quarantine restrictions, but with some flexibility to be announced by the Ministry of Health,
• Borders will remain closed,
• Intercity transport will remain prohibited, and
• All domestic flights will remain suspended.  

Through July 31:

• Schools will remain virtual only; beginning in August they will start to partially reopen, combining physical attendance in schools with some work time at home, and
• Encouragement of telework, closure of bars, discos, and casinos, prohibition of public events, and the status of public parks, pools, gyms, and spas remain unchanged.  

 Through August 31:

• Per the Minister of Transport, international flights remain suspended, and  
• The Health Emergency allows the Government of Colombia, in coordination with medical and institutional leaders, to make decisions to protect citizens from COVID-19 as the situation evolves. 

As we have noted previously, those under quarantine ARE permitted to go to the airport and take humanitarian flights out of Colombia if flights are available. Travelers should be prepared for travel restrictions to change with little or no advance notice. If you are interested in returning to the United States, please take advantage of the humanitarian flights announced through the STEP program.  The U.S. government cannot guarantee the ability to arrange flights indefinitely.  U.S. citizens should return immediately to the United States unless you are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period. 

Visit the website of the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Government of Colombia’s Coronavirus Information Page for additional information on these new measures and to register your contact and travel information.