Travelers entering Colombia by sea on cruise ships must present a negative COVID-19 test and the vaccination certificate stating the application of at least one dose, the Ministry of Health reported on Friday.
The new measure will be applied to travelers from abroad -Colombians and foreigners- from the age of 18, who must present both requirements: a digital or physical vaccination certificate and a negative PCR test no longer than 72 hours before boarding.
“In the event that the person presents symptoms associated with COVID-19 during the cruise trip, they must report it to the crew, as well as refrain from disembarking in Colombia if they present respiratory symptoms, if they are suspected or had contact with a confirmed case ”, explained in a statement Julián Fernández, director of Epidemiology and Demography.
With this new norm, Colombia unifies the entry requirements to the country for international travelers, since since December 14 the measures applied to those who entered by air. Since that date, at least 260 foreign citizens have not been admitted for not meeting the requirements, according to the immigration authority.
Cruises were considered by the Ministry of Health as spaces in which it is often “virtually impossible to maintain physical distance during leisure activities” and there is a “high rate of close contacts.”
In addition, the ministry explained in the decree that there is still a proportion of the population susceptible to the virus in Colombia – such as those not vaccinated or those who do not have the complete scheme.
Colombia is entering a new peak of infections due to the omicron variant, which was identified 11 days ago in the country and is on the rise, although the dominant variant continues to be delta.
“Ómicron has shown its rapid weekly growth, going in the first week of circulation from zero participation to 6.25%, in the second to 12.1% and to 25% in the third week. The following week these estimates could reach 50% or more ”, indicated the director of the National Institute of Health, Martha Ospina, in a statement released the day before.
COVID-19 cases have increased in the last week. On Thursday, 8,436 cases were registered, the highest number since August, bringing the country to 5.1 million confirmed cases and 129,900 deaths.
The government daily urges the population to be vaccinated as the most effective way to counteract the pandemic. So far, 74% of the Colombian population, estimated at 50 million, has received at least one dose of the vaccine and 28% have had two doses.
“We have to continue acting with all biosecurity measures and, above all, complying with the moral duty of getting vaccinated,” said President Iván Duque in the New Year’s greeting.
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