As of September 1, the selective isolation phase begins in the country. At this stage, which runs until October 1, responsible individual distancing prevails.
For this, the Government issued Decree 1168, which stipulates what will happen to international flights, what are the restrictions to leave, among other measures.
(We suggest: ‘From September you can travel by road ‘: Government)
It should be noted that the key to this new phase is that all activities must comply with the biosafety protocols established by the Ministry of Health (included in the public space) and the instructions adopted or issued by the different ministries and national entities to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
In the first instance, in the municipalities of high affectation of the coronavirus, as is the case of Bogotá, the mayors, with the due authorization of the Ministry of the Interior and prior concept of the Ministry of Health, may restrict the activities, areas, zones and homes that they consider pertinent for the realization of a selective and focused isolation, according to the variation in the behavior of the pandemic.
(Can read: ‘In general terms, everything remains open ‘, says the Government)
For its part, in municipalities without affectation, of low and moderate impact of the coronavirus, selective isolation of activities, areas or zones cannot be carried out.
“In any case, the instructions and orders issued by municipal and district governors and mayors in matters of public order, in relation to the health emergency caused by covid-19, must be previously justified and communicated to the Ministry of the Interior, and must be authorized by this entity “.
Of course, the mayors of the municipalities not affected, with low and moderate effects, will be able to perform selective isolation of homes with people with positive cases under study or with symptoms.
Restrictions to exit:
In no municipality of the national territory, the following spaces or face-to-face activities may be enabled:
1. Events of a public or private nature that imply agglomeration of people, in accordance with the provisions and protocols issued by the Ministry of Health.
2. The bars, discos and dance venues.
3. The consumption of intoxicating beverages in public spaces and commercial establishments. The sale of intoxicating beverages is not prohibited.
(Also: Who can leave and who cannot as of September 1?)
However, the mayors of the municipalities and districts may request the Ministry of the Interior authorization for the implementation of pilot plans in establishments and commercial premises that provide restaurant or bar services, for the consumption of intoxicating beverages within the establishment or premises, and for the holding of business fairs, as long as the biosecurity protocols and the regulations on agglomerations issued by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection are complied with at all times, for the development of these activities. The authorization issued by the Ministry of the Interior will require the prior favorable opinion of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection.
Mayors may request authorization for the implementation of pilot plans in establishments and commercial premises that provide restaurant or bar services, for the consumption of beverages
What happens if covid-19 cases increase?
The decree warns that when a municipality presents a negative variation in the behavior of the pandemic, the Ministry of Health will send the Ministry of the Interior a report containing a description of the epidemiological situation of the municipality related to the coronavirus and the activities that will be allowed to the municipality, with which sand will order the closure of the activities or respective cases by the Ministry of the Interior to the territorial entity.
(In other news: J&J vaccine trial approved in Colombia; know where it will be done)
Do you continue teleworking?
During the duration of the health emergency, which initially lasts until November 30, “Public and private sector entities will ensure that their employees or contractors whose presence is not essential at the workplace perform the functions and obligations under the modalities of telework, work at home or other similar ones,” the document warns.
Can you travel by road in the country?
Yes, road trips are allowed to all parts of the country, without restriction (complying with biosecurity protocols and without having covid-19 or symptoms).As for inter-municipal transport, it is also allowed. However, in highly affected areas it can be done gradually and with control of capacity.
What about land borders?
The maritime, land and river border crossings with Panama, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil and Venezuela will remain closed until October 1, 2020.
Although there are some exceptions to the border closure, which are:
1. Humanitarian emergency.
2. Transportation of cargo and merchandise.
3. Act of God or force majeure.
4. The departure from the national territory of foreign citizens in a
coordinated by the Special Administrative Unit Migration Colombia, with the competent district and municipal authorities.
However, the decree stipulates that the Ministry of the Interior, after a favorable opinion from the Ministry of Health and in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, may lift the closure of the maritime, land and river border crossings that this article deals with.
(Read also: The covid-19 pandemic slows down in most of the world)
Will there be commercial international flights?
The decree does not indicate this exception.
See the decree here: Do you have any doubts?
You can ask your question at luimer@eltiempo.com
LUISA MERCADO
POLITICAL WRITING
Instagram: @ luisamercado1
Twitter: @LuisaMercadoD
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