Despite criticism and ridicule, the mayor of Cartagena, William Dau Chamatt, issued Decree 0026 of 2021 on January 12, through which he extends the curfew in the city.
The measure, which had been initially implemented for the Three Kings holiday bridge, will continue until Saturday, January 16, between 00:00 and 05:00 each day.
It should be noted that the recent curfew was questioned by a sector of the citizenry, since this only governed in the early morning where most people are sleeping, while during the day there are agglomerations in different parts of Cartagena. (Read here: What the people of Cartagena think of the new curfew)
The president of the Cartagena and Bolívar Health Board, Dr. Rubén Sabogal, who on different occasions has asked the Dau administration for drastic measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, also spoke out.
He assured that although all measures aimed at stopping infections are welcome, the five-hour curfew is very short for the behavior of the virus, for which he proposed extending it from 5 in the afternoon to 5 in the morning of everyday.
However, the Dau administration maintained that the adopted curfew sought to control the city’s nightlife, where a high degree of social indiscipline has been observed.
In addition, the Secretary of the Interior and Citizen Coexistence, David Múnera Cavadía, said on Tuesday that the measure worked despite the criticism that was given.
“It was shown that after 12 at night there are numbers of foolish people, who want to continue” rumba “, maintaining the disorder. They are not one or two, there are thousands of citizens who this weekend had that irresponsibility and that was the purpose of the curfew. Establishments were closed, many clandestine parties were intervened with many attendees who do not reason about the seriousness that we are suffering, “said the official.
Exceptions
The only people who are exempt from this measure are:
– Officials of the Mayor’s Office of Cartagena and the Government of Bolívar
– Pharmacy workers and operators
– Workers who work shifts
– Vehicles or transportation routes for workers in companies that work 24/7
– Members of the public force, Public Ministry, Ombudsman’s Office, Fire Department, Judicial Branch, relief agencies and Prosecutor’s Office.
– Private security and guard personnel.
– Medical emergency vehicles and home care.
– Health personnel, ambulances, pre-hospital care vehicles, distribution of medicines to homes and funeral services.
– Vehicles and personnel of medical gas companies.
– Public servants whose functions are related to the preservation of public order, emergency and relief agencies.
– Journalists and members of the communications media, while they are performing their duties.
– Personnel who work in sea, air and transport terminals.
– Vehicles of public service companies in Cartagena.
– Private vehicles in emergencies.
In order for the exception to be applied, they must prove that they are in the exercise of their functions, and those who violate the restriction will be sanctioned in accordance with the provisions of the Penal Code and the rules of citizen coexistence.
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Other measures
It is important to remember that Decree 1608, which declares selective isolation and responsible individual distancing until 00:00 hours on January 16, the local president signed several restrictions and schedules of some activities to prevent the spread of COVID-19 .
– The peak and ID (even-odd) for entering places such as banks, financial institutions, Bazurto market square, department stores and supermarkets in general, in order to prevent crowds.
Wednesday 1/13/2021: 0-2-4-6-8
Thursday 1/14/2021: 1-3-5-7-9
Friday 1/15/2021: 0-2-4-6-8
– The Dau administration restricted social gatherings in halls of closed complexes, or shopping centers and neighborhood tours. He also indicated that family celebrations should be with members who live together and without guests and with a maximum capacity of 10 people.
– The Mayor’s Office of Cartagena prohibited the realization of any type of public shows or electronic party events and of any other type, on beaches and public spaces of Cartagena. Likewise, the use of public space that is not authorized by the corresponding authorities or regulations, to hold celebrations or gatherings, was restricted.
– The use of picós or any other kind of sound amplification devices that generate alterations to the tranquility and citizen coexistence is also prohibited.
– The realization of public shows or private events are subject to the authorization of the Secretary of the Interior, after meeting the legal requirements.
– The hours of commercial establishments open to the public will be from 05:00 am to 00:00 hours.
– The hours for shops, terraces, billiards, tobacconists, refreshments, liquor stores and salsamentarias, will be from 06:00 am to 10:00 pm each day. In these establishments the consumption of food, alcoholic beverages and liquors is prohibited.
– The disembarkation in the insular zone of ships of any draft or specification destined for tourist, recreational or sports activities is restricted, with the exception of hotels that are authorized in the pilot plan for reopening the islands.
– Staying on the beach and bathers entering the sea is not allowed. The areas specially authorized by means of a pilot plan for the reopening of Playa are excepted.
– The activities of discos, dance venues and the sale, distribution and use of fireworks, fireworks or any explosive device are prohibited.
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The Salvemos Juntos a Cartagena administration reiterated to locals and visitors that COVID-19 has not gone away, so the only way to prevent it is to continue maintaining biosecurity measures.
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