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Chaotic, this is how the hours before the beginning of the continuous curfew in Medellín could be described, which started at 8 at night on this 24 and will run until Saturday 26 at 6 in the morning.
Large traffic jams occurred a few minutes after 8:00 pm, the time from which the measure began, on the La Madre Laura bridge, which connects commune 4 (Aranjuez) with commune 5 (Castilla).
Mobility was difficult in the area and there was no evidence of the presence of traffic authorities. It also happened in the same way towards the municipality of Bello, both on the highway and on the Regional avenue to the north.
After 8:00 at night, the installation of some police checkpoints was evidenced. EL TIEMPO was able to verify one of them on Avenida San Juan and another on the roundabout of Viva Envigado.
Traffic jams occurred on the Puente de la Madre Laura, which connects communes 4 and 5 of Medellín.
Esneyder Gutierrez
The rain dissipated the number of people on the streets, although in the Aranjuez neighborhood, almost around 7 at night, traffic jams were generated on one of its main roads, Calle 92. A An hour before the curfew, there was still a variety of shops open, in addition to drugstores and restaurants. Passersby were also seen on the wet streets, while the traditional Christmas music was heard in the background. Some bars were even open in this area.
Near the main park of this neighborhood, some people chatted before curfew. “Don’t miss out on tradition, it’s time to do it before eight o’clock” said one of the men who was frying pork rinds on the outskirts of a local, in the company of his friends.
Some people brought their celebrations forward to before 8:00 pm, the time that curfew began.
Esneyder Gutierrez
Early
In the early hours of December 24 in Medellín, the streets were filled with people, the car tracks and the sky with balloons.
It seems that the message to avoid this practice, which this 2020 has left 16 businesses and families affected by fires caused by six balloons, would not have reached areas like Itagüí and Envigado.
In the last 5 years there have been 124 fires caused by balloons in Medellín
In the last 5 years there have been 124 fires caused by balloons in Medellín
Until before 5 o’clock in the afternoon, the streets were packed with vehicles and it seemed that there was somewhere to walk in Medellín. A journey from Itagüí to La Floresta, which usually takes 40 minutes, takes up to 2 hours.
(You may be interested: This is how a strange Christmas begins with half a country confined by covid-19)
This added to the traffic accidents, which worsened vehicular traffic, especially on the north highway.
The store opened its doors early to serve those who left Christmas shopping until last or those who needed to stock up before curfew.
Downtown was the hottest area. In this sector, which is visited daily by a million people on average, the road and pedestrian chaos was notorious.
Not even the rain that fell in the afternoon dampened the conglomerations that were there. You did not see the distancing, the biosecurity measures and the use of the mask was not for everyone.
(Also read: Learn about the curfew and the peak and ID in Antioquia)
“We street innkeepers are the most affected!” Shouted a man in a clothing awning in the middle of the human river of people in the El Palacio sector. “Take advantage of the fact that I am ‘giving everything away’,” he added in the rain.
Little respect was seen for biosecurity measures
Esneyder Gutierrez
Downtown was the most congested area before curfew
Esneyder Gutierrez
Downtown was the most congested area before curfew
Esneyder Gutierrez
Downtown was the most congested area before curfew
Esneyder Gutierrez
In neighborhoods like La Floresta (commune 12), in several homes the novenas were brought forward and even the Christmas barbecues, which instead of dinner, became improvised lunches.
“We had to meet early so that at 7 o’clock at night we could hit each one for the house. It is very rare, but at least the whole family could be seen,” they said in this family, surnamed Pérez.
Some people chose to advance the family reunion
Esneyder Gutierrez
Around 6 pm, 2 hours before curfew, the city began to look emptier, as did the streets. The night will be the real challenge to measure the behavior of the citizens of Medellín.
It should be remembered that the Metropolitan Police had 2,500 uniformed men to monitor compliance with the measure. Similarly, there will be a Unified Command Post (PMU) coordinated by the mayor’s office for the same purpose.
MEDELLIN
