Colombia’s government has decreed a quarantine in response to the coronavirus pandemic that is in force until at least May 31. Municipal governments imposed additional measures to prevent the spread of the virus.
With the exception of humanitarian flights, commercial air traffic is not expected to being to restart until after August 31 and will likely take time to restart completely.
If you’re stranded in Colombia and need help, please send an email. We are in the process of setting up a support network.
If you’re a foreign migrant or resident in Colombia, stay informed on the violation of the national quarantine or municipal measures. Non-compliance may lead to sanctions, including an eventual expulsion.
It is important to realize that we, foreigners and Colombians alike, are in this together. Possibly more important than abiding by the law is to be a good neighbor and lend a helping hand when you can.
National measures | Municipal measures | Emergency numbers | Embassies
National measures
The national government’s quarantine applies to everybody in the country, with the exception of those working in crucial industries.
The current quarantine will last at least until May 31, but this may be extended.
During the quarantine, one individual per household may leave his or her home or hotel to:
- Go to the grocery store to buy food
- Go to the pharmacy to pick up medicine
- Walk a pet for 20 minutes in the vicinity of one’s residence
- Outdoor exercize for one hour if you are between 18 and 60
- Access emergency services, including veterinarians
- Attend a necessary medical appointment
- Visit an ATM or bank to access financial services or get a notary
- Take a licensed taxi or public bus when necessary to leave the house for one of these approved reasons.
The use of masks is obligatory on all public transport. Because public transport is not allowed more than 35% of its capacity, you may not be allowed to enter a vehicle if it has reached this capacity.
The permissions above have restrictions that depend per municipality.
Foreigners are additionally allowed to travel if this is part of a repatriation process coordinated by their embassy also on days that municipal restrictions apply.
National measures | Municipal measures | Emergency numbers | Embassies
Municipal measures
Colombia Reports is in the process of gathering information about additional measures taken by regional and local governments. If you notice information is missing about your city or town, contact us.
A number of cities are imposing a so-called “Pico y Cedula” system, which allows you to leave home or use your car based on the last number of your ID number or license plate.
Exemptions to these measures are the same as those of the quarantine.
Armenia – Barichara – Barranquilla – Bogota – Bucaramanga – Cali – Cartagena – Filandia – Girardot – La Calera – Medellin area – Rionegro – Santa Marta – Tunja – Villa de Leyva – Villavicencio
Armenia, Quindio
Armenia decreed pico y cedula between 7AM and 7PM. The numbers refer to the last number on your ID card.
- Monday | 3 – 4
- Tuesday | 5 – 6
- Wednesday | 7 – 8 – 9
- Thursday | 1 – 2 – 3
- Friday | Nobody allowed outside
- Saturday | Nobody allowed outside
- Sunday | Nobody allowed outside
The system for vehicles is announced daily on the city hall’s website.
Barichara, Santander
Barichara has imposed “pico y cedula” for the entire day. The numbers refer to the last number on your ID card.
- Monday | 1 – 2 – 7
- Tuesday | 3 – 5 – 6
- Wednesday | 5 – 9 – 0
- Thursday | 7 – 1 – 8
- Friday | 9 – 2
- Saturday | 8 – 3 – 6
- Sunday | 0 – 4 – 5
Barranquilla
Barranquilla has imposed “pico y cedula” to go shopping for the entire day. Outside exercise is allowed between 4AM until 8AM wearing a mask. The numbers refer to the last number on your ID card.
- May 11 | 1
- May 12 | 3
- May 13 | 5
- May 14 | 7
- May 15 | 9
- May 16 | 0
- May 16 | Full lockdown
- May 17 | Full lockdown
- May 17 | 2
- May 18 | 4
- May 19 | 6
- May 20 | 8
Bogota
Bogota has imposed a gender-based system to further reduce the number of people on the street.
Men are allowed to do food shopping or visit pharmacies and banks on odd calendar days, women on even days.
The wearing of a mask is compulsory.
All can walk the dog throughout the week and do outdoor exercise every day between 6AM and 10AM.
Bucaramanga
Cali’s pico y cedula system for the entire day. The numbers refer to the last number on your ID card.
- Monday | 1 – 2
- Tuesday | 3 – 4
- Wednesday | 5 – 6
- Thursday | 7 – 8
- Friday | 9 – 0
- Saturday | nobody allowed outside
- Sunday | nobody allowed outside
Cali, Valle del Cauca
Cali’s pico y cedula system for the entire day. The numbers refer to the last number on your ID card.
- Monday | 1 – 2
- Tuesday | 3 – 4
- Wednesday | 5 – 6
- Thursday | 7 – 8
- Friday | 9 – 0
- Saturday | 1 – 3 – 5 – 7 – 9
- Sunday | 2 – 4 – 6 – 8 – 0
Cartagena, Bolivar
Cartagena has imposed movement restrictions based on the last number on your ID card. Nobody is allowed outside between 4PM and 6AM.
- May 11 | 6 – 7
- May 12 | 8 – 9
- May 13 | 0 – 1
- May 14 | 2 – 3
- May 15 | 4 – 5
- May 16 | 6 – 7
- May 17 | Nobody allowed outside
- May 18 | 8 – 9
- May 19 | 0 – 1
- May 20 | 2 – 3
- May 21 | 4 – 5
- May 22 | 6 – 7
- May 23 | 8 – 9
- May 24 | Nobody allowed outside
Filandia, Quindio
Filandia’s pico y cedula system for the entire day. The numbers refer to the last number on your ID card.
La Calera, Cundinamarca
La Calera’s system uses a morning and afternoon schedule during the week and and even more complex system during the weekends.
9AM – 1PM
- Monday | 0 – 1
- Tuesday | 4 – 5
- Wednesday | 8 – 9
- Thursday | 2 – 3
- Friday | 6 – 7
- Sunday | 6 – 7
2PM – 6PM
- Monday | 2 – 3
- Tuesday | 6 – 7
- Wednesday | 0 – 1
- Thursday | 4 – 5
- Friday | 8 – 9
- Sunday | 8 – 9
Saturday
Medellin, Antioquia
Medellin and the surrounding towns of Bello, Envigado, Itagui, have imposed “pico y cedula” between 7AM and 8PM. The numbers refer to the last number on your ID card.
The penalty for not complying with this compulsory measure is COP932,000 ($250).
- May 11 | 7 – 8
- May 12 | 9 – 0
- May 13 | 1 – 2
- May 14 | 3 – 4
- May 15 | 5 – 6
- May 16 | 7 – 8
- May 17 | 9 – 0 – 1
- May 18 | 2 – 3
- May 19 | 4 – 5
- May 20 | 6 – 7
- May 21 | 8 – 9
- May 22 | 0 – 1
- May 23 | 2 – 3
- May 24 | 4 – 5 – 6
Girardot, Cundinamarca
Girardot, a town close to Bogota, decreed a cedula y placa system for the entire day.
- Monday | 1 – 2
- Tuesday | 3 – 4
- Wednesday | 5 – 6
- Thursday | 7 – 8
- Friday | 9 – 0
- Saturday | 1 – 3 – 5 – 7 – 9
- Sunday | 2 – 4 – 6 – 8 – 10
Rionegro, Antioquia
Rionegro, a town close to Medellin, imposed a cedula y placa system during weekdays.
Santa Marta
- Monday | 1 – 9
- Tuesday | 2 – 3
- Wednesday | 4 – 5
- Thursday | 6 – 7
- Friday | 8 – 0
- 8AM – 12PM on Saturdays | 0 – 2 – 4 – 6 – 8
- 2PM – 6PM on Saturdays | 1 – 3 – 5 – 7 – 9
- Sunday | Only home delivery allowed
Tunja
Tunja imposed a pico y cedula system based on the last number of your ID card.
Villa de Leyva
Villa de Leyva imposed a pico y cedula system based on the last number of your ID card and has limited the opening hours of the local market to between 5AM and 2PM.
- Monday | 0 -9
- Tuesday | 7 – 8
- Wednesday | 5 – 6
- Thursday | 3 – 4
- Friday | 1 – 2
- Saturday | Total lockdown
- Sunday | Total lockdown
Villavicencio, Meta
Villavicencio has imposed a curfew, allowing nobody to leave their homes between 8PM and 6AM.
The city also imposed “pico y cedula,” allowing you to leave your home based on the last number of your ID card.
- April 27 | 9 -0
- April 28 | 1 – 2
- April 29 | 3 – 4
- April 30 | 5 – 6
- May 1 | 7 – 8
- May 2 | 9 – 0
- May 3 | 1 – 2
- May 4 | 3 – 4
- May 5 | 5 – 6
- May 6 | 7 – 8
- May 7 | 9 – 0
- May 8 | 1 – 2
- May 9 | 3 – 4
- May 10 | 5 – 6
If you want updated on your municipality included, please contact Colombia Reports.
National measures | Municipal measures | Emergency numbers | Embassies
Emergency numbers
The Colombian government has opened an emergency numbers where you can report yourself if you believe you may have been infected by the coronavirus.
This emergency number is 192, which you can call from both a landline and a cellphone.
The emergency number for victims of domestic violence is 155.
Any other kind of emergencies can be reported calling 123.
If your Spanish is not good enough to communicate with the emergency operators, contact your embassy.
