On November 16, the obligation to present the certificate of vaccination For those over 18 who want to attend face-to-face events.
The measure contemplates that the document that evidences, as a minimum, the start of the immunization scheme, must be presented for admission to public or private events that involve massive assistance, as well as to bars, gastrobars, cinemas, discos, dance venues, concerts, casinos, bingo halls and leisure activities, as well as sports venues, churches, amusement and theme parks, museums and fairs.
(Lea: The requirement of the vaccination card for events begins in the country).
With a cut-off as of November 1, Colombia, 56,887,044 doses of vaccines have been distributed, of which 47,499,157 have been applied. The report states that there are 21’435.244 of complete schematics and the country’s goal is to have 14 million more people covered by the end of the year and, in this way, reach 35 million with complete schemes.
The measurements of capacity per cycles will be maintained, but now everything can be carried to a greater capacity to the extent that the license is required. They will follow biosecurity protocols such as the use of masks in closed places and distancing. Changes in capacity should be adjusted by local authorities according to the behavior of the pandemic.
THE BUSINESSMEN
Luis Guillermo Quintero, manager of the Movistar Arena in Bogotá, explained that it is very important to continue providing security to spectators, especially those who are going to attend mass events. “And as is happening in the rest of the world, a license is being required and that seems very good so that people can be calm and have a full capacity“, said. In his opinion, this implies an important economic reactivation for those responsible for the massive events in Colombia and creates an important dynamic also to resume events of all kinds.
The businessman Ricardo Leyva Gutiérrez, partner of Exma and expert in organizing events, says that the requirement of the vaccine is the call to all “we must protect ourselves and that there is no alternative”.
(Lea: This is how the three phases will be for the total reopening in Bogotá).
“I,” he commented.
For his part, Guillermo Gómez, from Acodrés, the restaurant union, said that with this demand “measures such as the limitation of capacity and the use of face masks in open spaces should be eliminated, as Anif proposed. The requirement for a license is associated with the guarantee of safe spaces, which makes it possible to dispense with certain self-care rules ”.
In turn, Pablo Umañan, Cinemark manager, said that the measure applies only if the organizer of the event wants a capacity of 100%. “I do not agree because we have less than 45% of the population vaccinated”, He expressed.
The owners of the bars, for their part, expressed various concerns in this regard, in the midst of an invitation to the population to act responsibly and go to be vaccinated.
Among other things, for Asobares “It is not the responsibility of the entrepreneurs to verify said document or digital equivalent, we trust the applications, controls, physical means that the Government, authorities and health entities have arranged and we trust the good faith of the citizens who attend the different sites”. Likewise, it considered that the control of the authorities on this matter can dbring the police of the tasks to combat insecurity, deteriorating in various areas of the country.
(Lea: Those who had covid can be vaccinated 30 days after diagnosis).
THE EXPERTS SPEAK
Juan Camilo Pardo, economic research analyst at Corficolombiana considered that in economic terms, its impact can be positive given that having a higher proportion of the vaccinated population reduces the spread of the virus. “This, naturally, could push the labor demand in high contact services and the overall participation rate in the labor market.”, He commented.
In addition, he pointed out that this can contribute to consumer confidence when traveling public places, since they perceive a lower risk of contagion. This would imply higher levels of spending and, therefore, productive chains that could favor other sectors of the economy.
“More than affecting private consumption, it can push it”, He concluded.
In general, the advancement of vaccination has been directly related to the recovery of the economy, but the restriction could have ambiguous effects on the reactivation of some sectors.
“Yes, there may be some brake on activities in certain sectors in the very short term, but if that measure is not taken, it would bring a negative effect in the medium or long term with the possibility that infections may increase later,” Alejandro explained. Useche, associate professor at the School of Administration of the Universidad del Rosario.
Useche highlighted that “International experience indicates that this is the path that many countries are following, to the extent that vaccination rates are not growing at the rate expected”, And reiterated that in Colombia it is still at a slow pace.
“It should be taken from the positive side, as an incentive, so that people who have not yet been vaccinated do so,” said the teacher.
For his part, Carlos Felipe Prada, vice president of the Anif economic studies center, assured that what really has to be sought to continue with the reactivation is “That all establishments are open, those of commerce, services”.
He considered that the measures of asking for vaccination are issues towards which the world has moved in some countries, as is the case in some states in the US.
From their point of view, the best thing would be to promote vaccination voluntarily, rather than creating an obligation.
BRIEFCASE
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