New restrictions in Colombia: travelers must present a negative PCR test for Covid-19

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Colombian Ministry of Health and Social Protection announced through Resolution 411/2021 that as of April 7th, all non-resident foreigners entering the country by air, irrespective of their origin, must present a PCR test with a negative result for Covid-19 performed within 96 hours before arrival.

Colombian citizens or foreign residents who do not take the test at the origin may take it upon arrival in Colombia and quarantine until the relevant results are available. In case they fail to take the test, they must remain in isolation for 14 days in their domicile.

The resolution also updated the biosecurity measures unifying the scope of both domestic and international flights.

“Because of the pandemic, we had had several administrative acts for domestic flights that were updated and also two for international flights. Now we merge them into one, with specific recommendations that come into force on April 7th, 2021,” said Julian Alfredo Fernandez Niño, director of Epidemiology and Demography.

“Some recommendations that are now obsolete or have little scientific evidence are updated, such as those that have to do with restrictions on aircraft entertainment systems, given that if these are properly disinfected, they do not represent a greater risk,” added the official.

In any case, the sustained use of the “CoronApp” application on domestic flights and Check-Mig on international flights is highlighted. “The reason why we believe that CoronApp is effective is that it now connects with the results of the Covid-19 samples and reveals whether people have tested positive in the last 14 days,” said Fernández Niño.

Other measures announced include the safe opening of VIP lounges at airports and removing temperature taking at the entrance of air terminals. Also, on flights of more than two hours in which people can eat, they must do so at intervals assigned by rows to prevent all passengers taking off their masks at the same time.

Colombia had been one of the countries with the highest tourism recovery rate in Latin America and the Caribbean. By the end of March 2021, the supply of seats had decreased by just 36.5% compared to the same period last year, according to OAG.

Since the reactivation of domestic and international flights in September last year, 9,294,225 passengers have been transported. It is estimated that this Easter, the occupancy of domestic flights will stand at around 90%.

According to the tourism platform Kayak, flights to destinations such as Cartagena, Santa Marta, San Andres, Monteria, and Medellin will reach an occupancy above 95%.

Avianca advised that between April 1st and 4th, it expects to fly 249,000 passengers in 900 flights throughout its network of destinations. On the other hand, Viva Air expects to carry 148,000 people in its network of 18 domestic and international destinations. Finally, Wingo estimates that it will fly 111,000 passengers during Easter Week.

Source: Aviacionline

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