Colombia will no longer require COVID-19 tests to enter the country by air

Through Resolution 1972 of 2020, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of Colombia established new conditions to enter the country by air, among which were highlights the elimination of the COVID-19 PCR test requirement, with up to 96 hours prior to the flight.

The health portfolio established in the resolution that one of the main requirements to be able to enter Colombia by air without inconvenience is not to present fever or respiratory symptoms associated with COVID-19. Likewise, The Ministry announced that the boarding will be prevented for those travelers who have not previously filled out the ‘Check-Mig’ application.

According to Julián Fernández Niño, director of Epidemiology and Demography of the Ministry of Health, these provisions are made within the framework of the Sustainable Selective Testing, Tracking and Isolation (PRASS) strategy. In addition, the Ministry indicated that airlines must inform their passengers that when they arrive in Colombia they will be monitored by their insurer, the Ministry of Health or the CCNR National Tracking Contact Center.

Airlines and airport officials in Colombia must commit to reminding travelers that the use of face masks is mandatory for everyone over two years of age, in addition to informing travelers that, as far as possible, they should avoid wearing from the bathroom on flights of less than two hours.

Responsibilities of travelers:

Air passengers must wear multiple masks to replace them during the trip and remain in their assigned seat during the flight time. They must also respond to the strict tracking and monitoring that the Health Promotion Entity (EPS) or the Ministry of Health of the jurisdiction where they will stay will carry out, to update the statistics and continue with the prevention campaigns.

The measures will apply to both nationals and foreigners. In addition, people must report to their health insurance or health authorities if, during the 14 days after their trip, they have suspicious symptoms of coronavirus.

For passengers who plan to leave Colombia and who must enter the airport 3 hours in advance prior to boarding the flight, they are required to use the mask from entering the air terminal, during the flight and at the port of arrival. Similarly, it is necessary for each traveler to be aware of the health requirements demanded by the country of destination, such as quarantines or tests.

Requirements for airlines:

With the new administrative act, which modifies Resolution 1627 of 2020, it is established as a requirement for airlines to designate an exclusive bathroom for the crew, as long as there are enough for the use of travelers and without generating agglomeration.

They also require that when there is room to distribute food, airline officials do so in sealed and prepackaged containers, in addition to taking into account the location of letters on the aircraft to prevent passengers in the same row from eating at the same weather.

In the case of flights of less than two hours duration, MinSalud asks the airlines to refrain from carrying out service activities on board, requires cleaning and disinfecting the entertainment services after each flight; prohibits crew members from sharing items used for safety demonstrations; and in the event that a traveler presents symptoms associated with COVID-19, order that it must be isolated.

For her part, the Mayor of Bogotá, Claudia López, rejected the measure adopted by the National Government, arguing that it implies an unnecessary risk and eliminates all the efforts that have been made to prevent the spread of the coronavirus:

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