Colombia has decided it will introduce a mandatory vaccination passport for public places and to attend large-scale events.
After November 16, the government may require travelers and citizens to have the vaccination card for face-to-face events, bars, cinemas, churches, amusement parks, and discos.
Colombia’s President, Iván Duque, stated, “a decree will be signed where we want to make known to the Colombian people that for access to stadiums, entertainment events, bars, and restaurants from next November 16 it will be compulsory to have the vaccination card.”
He said the purpose is to achieve herd immunity in Colombia, “As the WHO has said, we have to quickly achieve this herd immunity and prevent future similar diseases, we have to continue protecting ourselves.”
In regards to mandatory vaccinations, the President suggested vaccinations weren’t an obligation but something necessary.
He also stated, “In addition to being a social control mechanism supported by science so that we achieve greater immunity collective and minimize health risks, people relax because the numbers are decreasing but crowded places have a level of risk and that is minimized with vaccination.”
With the Christmas holidays coming up, the Head of the Health Portfolio stated, “The measure has a protective effect against the Christmas holidays, to the extent that we can all get vaccinated, we will have a substantial restriction of risk. It is a special call to Colombians insofar as it is necessary to close the cycle.”
When Will The Government Require The Vaccine Passport?
The government stated the vaccine passport will begin for those over 18s from November 16. From November 30, the vaccine passport will apply to those over 11, and from December 15, it will apply to those over 5.
The government stated that the vaccine passport will apply to those with one vaccination dose at the beginning, but they will request a complete vaccination scheme shortly.
The places that will require the vaccination passport include:
- Places of leisure
- Public and private establishments
- Gastrobars
- Pubs
- Discos
- Casinos
- Sport centers
- Events organized both publicly and privately
- Restaurants
- Churches
For international travelers and Colombians vaccinated overseas, the President said, “The card that the person has can be verified and can be included in the electronic system. We urge them to regularize their situation by asking IPS to certify their vaccine so that they have their electronic card ”.
Therefore, overseas travelers may require electronic proof of their vaccination to enter many indoor and outdoor activities in Colombia.
The Current COVID-19 Situation In Colombia
Colombia has had 5.01 million cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began, with over 127,000 deaths. However, COVID-19 cases inside Colombia are low and the current 7-day average is 1,629. In contrast, the 7-day case average in June peaked at 31,256.
Colombia has currently fully vaccinated 42.1 percent of its entire population, and the nation has given 59.3 percent of its population the first vaccination dose.
The Current COVID-19 Restrictions In Colombia
Travelers can currently enter Colombia without a PCR test, but if they have any COVID-19 symptoms they cannot enter Colombia. Travelers must fill out the Chick-Mig form between 42 and 1 hour before departure to Colombia.
Colombia has reopened all its land borders, and you can enter via air travel. The Colombian government is maintaining its state of health emergency until November 30 and will implement fast COVID-19 restrictions if case numbers start to rise.
All travelers must adhere to social distancing, face mask-wearing, frequent hand washing, and biosafety protocols in Colombia.
But the news that Colombia is going to require a vaccination passport has made travel in Colombia more restricted going forward.
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Dude2
Tuesday 23rd of November 2021
I sent email to six of my favorite restaurants in Medellín, Cartagena and Cali. I asked them how they will verify covid pass of tourists. No reply from any of them a week later.
I read in two news articles stating that the government do not expect for example restaurants owners to verify covid passes or even ask people to show them when entering. Instead it will be assumed that anyone entering a restaurant, for example, has a covid pass. Police might go in and check people, who knows.
There is an 8 year prison sentence on false covid pass in Colombia, so don't even think about it!
A friend of mine who is American citizen and not Colombian citizen told me that he has never been asked to show covid pass in restaurants, pubs, discos etc during this week it has been in effect.
As other commenters say, it is tyranny and it is extreme corruption! Not only in Colombia, but in most countries in the world now. One restaurant owner in Cartagena was interviewed in one of the news articles. She said that 45% of her customers are tourists.
Kashlee Kucheran
Tuesday 23rd of November 2021
The co-founder of this site is currently in Colombia and between the 16th (the official launch date) and the 21st he did not get asked once. However, starting on the 21st he has been asked multiples times, including at restaurants, public transit, and a futbol game.
Mark
Monday 8th of November 2021
Bye bye colombia. Get ready for starvation and civil war. Have fun.
Hannah
Thursday 4th of November 2021
This is tyranny. If the vaccine was so effective, you would think more and more countries would be dropping restrictions? There was many places to travel last year and that is no longer the case.
R
Thursday 4th of November 2021
Looks like all the Latin American countries are being bought by Pfizer and other pharmaceutical companies. It’s weird that this passed at the exact time as Costa Rica. Is there any word if Mexico is plotting a vaxx pass as well? If so all my travel plans are kaput. Scary times we live in 😢
Ben
Sunday 14th of November 2021
@Adam, Same here - I was looking forward to going to Colombia in January, but I guess this means choosing a different destination. Perhaps something in Africa indeed, unless they fall to this madness as well.
Adam
Friday 5th of November 2021
@R, Yeah, I was surprised with a sudden 180 degrees change in stance towards restrictions. Clearly some games being played behind the scenes and some "lobbying" taking place. I was going to visit Colombia next month but I guess I will travel to east Africa instead. Tanzania or Kenya perhaps.
Jamal
Thursday 4th of November 2021
Colombia is off my list than hope Mexico is not mandating vaccine passports too that would be messed up!