Colombia’s biosecurity arrangements
Requirements for travellers, biosecurity measures and what to expect in Colombia.
Current entry requirements
Colombia currently requires proof of vaccination for entry. Additionally passengers must complete the online Check-Mig form a maximum of 24 hours before arrival. This form aims to speed up immigration to minimise crowds.
- Passengers arriving in Colombia must have a a Covid vaccination certificate indicating that they have completed a full vaccine schedule more than 14 days prior to their arrival.
- Passengers with a partial schedule, e.g. one dose of the Pfizer vaccine, must also have a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of their arrival.
- Unvaccinated foreign nationals are not permitted to enter Colombia.
- It is not possible for tourists to enter or leave Colombia overland from neighbouring countries.
We do not recommend visiting Colombia with a partial vaccine schedule plus a negative Covid test. Although visitors will be able to enter the country, Decreto 442 means they may not be able to enter bars, restaurants, museums or other attractions.
Resolution 666 / 24 April 2020
Resolution 666 is a series of biosecurity protocols aimed primarily at workplaces. It provides guidance for personal protection equipment (PPE), hygiene, cleaning and disinfecting of workplaces, the handling of food and waste, risk mitigation and employee welfare.
The resolution applies to all workplaces but also has specific protocols that apply to tourism such as rules relating to the consumption of food and interaction with clients. There are specific rules for transport which applies to travel to and from work but in practice will apply to private transfers too.
The final part of the resolution relates to track and trace, how to monitor potential symptoms and escalate and manage cases.
Certified Check-in
Certified Check-in is an initiative from the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism. It is voluntary as opposed to Resolution 666 and applies specifically to the tourism industry.
Certified Check-in aims to bring confidence to returning tourists by setting standards for hotels, bars or tourist spaces. Certified Check-in will cover areas that are not specifically covered in Resolution 666.
Hotels
Resolution 666 is a 21 page document that applies to all workplaces so it is not specific to hotels. It is incumbent upon hotels to identify and mitigate risks specific to their own property. Local authorities are responsible for certificating compliance with the requirements.
Hotels have been readying themselves since June and we have seen numerous communications from our preferred hotels advising us what changes are being made.
The most likely scenarios are that you will be required to wear face masks in enclosed common areas of larger hotels, also some hotels are temporarily suspending their buffet breakfasts to comply with guidance relating to consumption and to maintain social distancing.
Although hotels will always clean rooms thoroughly before new guests arrive, they will now be disinfecting them too and following stricter protocols.
Most changes are behind the scenes with staff taking extra measures to ensure the mitigation of risk.
Transfers
Section 4.2 of Resolution 666 relates to privately provided transport. In practice this will apply to private transfers for the purpose of tourism.
- All transfer vehicles will be disinfected after each passenger alights. This relates to all contact points such as door handles, windows and seat belts.
- Antibacterial gel will be made available.
- Heating and air conditioning that recirculate air will be avoided.
- Unauthorised or unnecessary stops will not be permitted.
Airports and flights
Aviation in Colombia has now commenced again. Some schedules are reduced.
On 14 August 2020 El Dorado Airport announced in a communication that it had received its biosecurity certificates. Measures taken inside the airport are as follows.
- All passengers will have their temperature taken when entering the terminal building.
- An initial check of travel documentation will be undertaken before entering the terminal. Persons not travelling will not be permitted to enter the terminal.
- Face masks are obligatory throughout the terminal and on aeroplanes.
- More than 1000 antibacterial gel stations have been added, along with 40 portable hand-washing stations.
- Disinfectant mats will be used to sterilise footwear.
- All staff will be wearing PPE.
- 9 new PPE vending machines have been installed.
- “Thermal corridors” will be monitored automatically by cameras as you flow through the airport.
- Strict disinfection protocols for common areas such as bathrooms.
- UV disinfection of baggage and luggage belts.
- 225 acrylic screens to facilitate social distancing in queues
El Dorado is by far the country’s largest airport. Expect similarly stringent measures in smaller airports but on a lesser scale.
Bars and restaurants
Bars and restaurants are operating normally. Clients are expected to wear face coverings when moving within establishments. Decreto 442 requires vaccination certificates for bars and restaurants that wish to operate at 100% capacity.
Tours and experiences
Experiences on the ground will be covered by Certified Check-in and good practice rather than Resolution 666. Visitors will expect to see more hand-washing and sanitisation stations, guides will be advised to avoid physical contact with guests, observe social distancing and wear face coverings.
Crowded and confined spaces will be avoided. In some destinations it is likely that one-way systems will be in place. Guests will be advised to visit certain sites at off-peak times.
Behind the scenes, tour guides and personnel that guests might come into contact with will be required to report any symptoms and self-isolate if necessary.
Shopping
All shops have a maximum occupancy shown at the door.
Page updates
The information on this page is subject to change.
Last updated 2 January 2022