Antioquia Governor Anibal Gaviria and Medellin Mayor Daniel Quintero jointly announced March 19 a drastic quarantine for nearly all people, vehicles, restaurants, meetings, public spaces and many other activities starting at 7 pm Friday, March 20 (this evening), until 3 am Tuesday, March 24.

The quarantine aims to slash potential exposures to the deadly Coronavirus, the governor and mayor announced in a joint press conference. A copy of the order (in Spanish) is available here: https://www.antioquia.gov.co/images/PDF2/Decretos/2020/03-marzo/decreto-2020070001025-cuarentena-por-la-vida.pdf.  A few clarifications and additions were issued a few hours later, see: https://antioquia.gov.co/images/PDF2/Decretos/2020/03-marzo/2020070001026-modificacion.pdf .

In all, 125 municipalities in Antioquia department signed the quarantine order, endorsed by most of the business and academic community, according to the governor and the mayor.

Exceptions to the quarantine include police, fire and emergency services; public agency officials; civil defense; the Red Cross and relief agencies; officials of the Colombian Institute for Family Welfare; the Attorney General’s Office, and other agencies that fulfill police functions, according to the order.

“In addition, vehicles and surveillance, health and emergency medical personnel, vehicles or motorcycles intended for patient care and distribution of medicines, citizens requiring health care and their companions or caregivers, media and communication personnel will be exempt [along with] airport services carrying passengers that have previously scheduled flights, among others,” according to the order.

“This provision also contemplates the prohibition of the consumption of intoxicating drinks in open spaces and commercial establishments from 6 pm Thursday, March 19, until 6 am Saturday, May 30, 2020,” according to the order.

Among other exceptions to the quarantine:

Vehicles, drivers and workers involved in transport and production of goods including food and medicines; health-care workers; ambulances; distributors of fuels; telecom and technical support workers; highway construction workers; public transit vehicles and drivers; pharmacies; supermarkets; gasoline stations; home-delivery service providers; farming and mining workers; veterinarians; rural residents that must travel for food and supplies; and mascot owners walking their dogs close to their residences.

The only restaurants allowed to operate during the quarantine are those inside hotels – and only for registered hotel guests, according to the order.

People 70 Years and Older: Quarantine Until May 30

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health announced March 19 that starting today (March 20) at 7 am until midnight May 30, 2020, most people 70 years and older are required to stay at home except for venturing out to buy food, medicines, get money, get health services or "in cases of force majeure or fortuitous event."

Other exceptions include those who still work at jobs, especially in health-care services, the Ministry added.