Colombia / Travel Coronavirus Updates

[MiamiSammy]

What's the current situation with documentation coming into Colombia? I'll have documentation for my second shot Friday and travel Monday, but getting a test within 96 hours over the weekend is proving challenging. Any thoughts, anyone?

[Questner]

I understand the country is using ICU rates to define when the nightly curfew begins. What I cannot find is any published information on the current ICU rates in each. Can you provide a source for us to go to to find the current ICU rates for each department?

Thank you for all the effort you put into this thread and providing information about travel updates. Cheers!

Here: "Distribucion de casos en UCI de hoy"

in https://www.ins.gov.co/Noticias/Pagi...ronavirus.aspx.

Also, follow the articles on the stats published in local news.

[Lefeu]

Just to make sure that readers understand completely. It is accurate that one needs a PCR test to enter Colombia but you can use either an Antigen OR a PCR test when coming back to USA. My understanding is the antigen test is cheaper, faster and easier, but if you were in some weird situation where you could only get a PCR test it would be acceptable...

I just left Colombia yesterday after spending 2 weeks there.

On my flight to Colombia, i knew that I had to present a PCR with negative results. I also had to fill out forms on the Colombia Migracin website. Unfortunately, I never received the confirmation email from that website. The AA agent was ready to stop me from boarding the flight. He insisted that I check my spam folder and retrieve the confirmation email. I knew that I had not received the email in question, as I had checked my spam folder several times. However, I had print out of my screenshots, showing that I answered all their questions. After some back and forth arguing, he agreed to let me board. That was close! No issue when I landed in Medellin. Going through immigration there was a breeze.

On the way back, I found a place, IDMe, that did the antigen test for 50 k cops. I did the test around 10:30 am and received my results around 12:30 pm. I also had to fill out the migracion forms online. However, this time I downloaded the Migracion app, and everything worked like a charm without a hitch.

[Mojo Bandit]

It's my understanding that you only need a test if your arriving to the USA by plane or boat. If you fly to Tijuana, you can walk across the boarder without any need for a test.

According to Customs and Border Patrol the land border is currently closed for non-essential traffic and in effect until April 21 2021.
(While I am sure that all of us feel that mongering is essential, I doubt that Border Patrol and Customs is going to feel the same way LOL)

While it is true that this requirement for the Covid testing only applies to flights it doesn't matter right now. Read:

"you. S extends travel restrictions at Canada, Mexico land borders".

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-h...-idUSKBN2BA1OG

US Border Patrol / Customs Website.

https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Artic...language=en_US

One reason I am sure the reason they are not requiring the test at land borders has to do with those who have "essential" reasons and can still cross the border by land, There are a multitude of people who go between US-Canada and US-Mexico for work and things like truck drives and people seeking medical care every day who use the land crossings so I think they do not want to be burdening these people with getting tested every 72 hours.

As far as boats go I am fairly ignorant about international boat traffic entering the United States other than cruises, I have found some mention of ferries between Canada and USA being restricted with the border closing but nothing with Mexico or between Florida and the Caribbean.

https://travel.state.gov/content/tra...-us-entry.html#ExternalPopup.

It is on the State Department website saying that the test is not required but it is buried way the fuck down in the FAQ, 22 questions down! WTF right?

Q: Does this Order apply to land border crossings?

A: No, the requirements of this Order only apply to air travel into the US.

The CDC is the one providing the guideline so the info is on their website also but again you have to look in the FAQ.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019...travelers.html

Does this Order apply to land border crossings?

No, the requirements of this Order only apply to air travel into the US.

[Fun Luvr]

It's my understanding that you only need a test if your arriving to the USA by plane or boat. If you fly to Tijuana, you can walk across the boarder without any need for a test.

The US State Dept website states "the requirements of this Order only apply to air travel into the US". I can't find any information on the site about boat travel, but you may be correct. Also, the check for a test must be done before arriving in the US. Once a US citizen is on US soil, they cannot be expelled.

[LatinaLover#1]

It's my understanding that you only need a test if your arriving to the USA by plane or boat. If you fly to Tijuana, you can walk across the boarder without any need for a test.

[Kafka]

Thank you all for clarifications.

The type of test depends on the airline coming back. Check with your carrier-- Jet Blue apparently requires a PCR test. The airlines are enforcing this in Colombia. Nothing is asked for at US immigration.

[SamPeter71]

Thank you all for clarifications.

Just to make sure that readers understand completely. It is accurate that one needs a PCR test to enter Colombia but you can use either an Antigen OR a PCR test when coming back to USA. My understanding is the antigen test is cheaper, faster and easier, but if you were in some weird situation where you could only get a PCR test it would be acceptable.

This is on the FAQ page from the CDC page regarding the order:

Requirement for Proof of Negative COVID-19 Test or Recovery from COVID-19 for All Air Passengers Arriving in the United States;.

"What types of SARS-CoV-2 test are acceptable under the Order?

Passengers must be tested with a viral test that could be either an antigen test or a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT). Examples of available NAATs for SARS-CoV-2 include but are not restricted to reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP), transcription-mediated amplification (TMA), nicking enzyme amplification reaction (NEAR), and helicase-dependent amplification (HDA).

[Mojo Bandit]

The airlines will not let you board the plane back to the US without a negative Covid Antigen test within 72 hours of boarding. You need a negative Covid PCR test within 96 hours to enter Colombia. Notice the difference, PCR test to enter Colombia and only a Antigen test to get in US.

Just to make sure that readers understand completely. It is accurate that one needs a PCR test to enter Colombia but you can use either an Antigen OR a PCR test when coming back to USA. My understanding is the antigen test is cheaper, faster and easier, but if you were in some weird situation where you could only get a PCR test it would be acceptable.

This is on the FAQ page from the CDC page regarding the order:

Requirement for Proof of Negative COVID-19 Test or Recovery from COVID-19 for All Air Passengers Arriving in the United States;.

"What types of SARS-CoV-2 test are acceptable under the Order?

Passengers must be tested with a viral test that could be either an antigen test or a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT). Examples of available NAATs for SARS-CoV-2 include but are not restricted to reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP), transcription-mediated amplification (TMA), nicking enzyme amplification reaction (NEAR), and helicase-dependent amplification (HDA). The test used must be authorized for use by the relevant national authority for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in the country where the test is administered. A viral test conducted for USA Department of Defense (DOD) personnel, including DOD contractors, dependents, and other USA Government employees, and tested by a DOD laboratory located in a foreign country also meets the requirements of the Order. ".

This is a list put out by the Colombian Embassy with a list of testing sites for each city listed.

https://co.usembassy.gov/wp-content/...n-Colombia.pdf

I have seen guys posting that it is also available at the airport in Medellin as is mentioned in this article along with other ways to get tested in Medellin.

https://medellinguru.com/pcr-test-covid-19-test/

[Husker Dude]

I got my vaccine and planning to travel to Bogota next month. Do I need to still get covid test done 72 hours before flying and / or do I need to quarantine? Can I come back to US without the covid test?

The airlines will not let you board the plane back to the US without a negative Covid Antigen test within 72 hours of boarding. You need a negative Covid PCR test within 96 hours to enter Colombia. Notice the difference, PCR test to enter Colombia and only a Antigen test to get in US.

[Mojo Bandit]

I got my vaccine and planning to travel to Bogota next month. Do I need to still get covid test done 72 hours before flying and / or do I need to quarantine? Can I come back to US without the covid test?

The short answer is Yes you still have to get a CPR Covid test to go to Colombia and you still have to register on the immigration website before you travel, as of right now there are no exceptions listed for persons with vaccine, as far as I know. Yes you will need a test to re-enter the USA. This is my current understanding and the best information that I currently have.

I have read that a big issue right now is that the cards they are giving our for the vaccines are so easy to counterfeit that they cannot rely on any verification process yet. There is talk about developing something called a medical passport for the vaccine, these are used to enter some countries that require a Yellow Fever vaccine before you can enter. This is a process that is coordinated in the United States between the the CDC an The World Health Organization I had to get one to enter Kenya about ten years ago.

Honestly though those things like the one I had would be just as easy to counterfeit, maybe they think the stakes are higher with Coronavirus, I do not know for sure what the issues are. All I know for sure are the policy guidelines that I see on the Embassy website and what the airlines are saying on their websites.

https://co.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/

https://www.avianca.com/us/es/experi...ianca-biocare/

[SamPeter71]

I got my vaccine and planning to travel to Bogota next month. Do I need to still get covid test done 72 hours before flying and / or do I need to quarantine? Can I come back to US without the covid test?

[Silver Turtle]

This is my answer. If anybody hears otherwise, it is an unsubstantiated rumor.

The court is in the judicial branch, while the executive branch, including Ministry of Health, led by Pres. Duque makes decision about the implementation of the requirement.

[Mojo Bandit]

LatinLover#1 Made on post on here that I accidently deleted, in his post he said that he would like to know if anyone has any information about Colombia relaxing the requirements for entering the country. I apologize to LatinLover #1 , the "reply with quote" and "delete post" are next to each other. LatinLover#1 says he plans to travel to Medellin and Tayrona National Park in a couple of weeks.

Many of us have seen the news reports that some administrative court based in Bucaramanga. Silver Turtle posted a link in a previous post that explains the current status of that ruling. I am going to post the entire English Translation of that article below (via Google Translate).

https://www.elcolombiano.com/colombi...bia-HM14811251

VALERIA MURCIA. POSTED ON March 13,2021 Headline: "Travelers will continue to be asked for negative PCR to enter the country".

This was assured by Migraciand Colombia.

The measure that asks travelers who enter Colombia a negative PCR test for covid-19 will remain in force until the Ministry of Health issues a resolution of compliance, said Migraciand Colombia.

This despite the fact that a court ruling has already been issued that orders that travelers no longer be asked for said proof to enter the country.

The Director General of Migration Colombia, Juan Francisco Espinosa Palacios, communicated that it is necessary for the Ministry of Health to issue a resolution indicating the date and the way in which the ruling will materialize, due to its status as a health authority.

As of March 2021, a little more than 400 thousand travelers coming from abroad have been allowed in the year. Of these, 65% of Colombian nationality.

Migration Colombia stressed, however, that there are three possible options for those who enter the country. If this is the case for you, here is what you can do.

The first route you can take is to have a PCR test done 96 hours before your trip. Upon arrival in the country, present the negative result to the authorities that require it.

He second involves an additional commitment from the traveler. Once inside Colombia, if you do not present a negative result of a PCR test, you must comply with a mandatory isolation for 14 days.

Finally, if you are already in mandatory isolation, you can perform the test within Colombia and, after a negative result, suspend isolation.

[Mojo Bandit]

I read that elpais article is a court judgement, not a government announcement.

The first paragraph mentioned this which basically means court if I understand it correctly.

Right, I agree with you but I am thinking that the rest of the government will have to follow this court decision and will not be allowed to demand a test, otherwise they get held in contempt , but it has to be promulgated within the administrative process first and I do not know how long that would take.