Other Norms

Seniors 70-and-Over Win Every-Day Exercise Privileges — but Not Yet in Medellin

Medellin Herald July 17, 2020

Colombia’s Health Ministry announced July 17 that because of recent court decisions, people 70-and-over now legally enjoy two-hours-per-day outdoor exercise privileges – not just three times/week under the Covid-19 regulations, but rather every single day. Problem: Medellin simultaneously is

Other Norms

Colombia Debuts Biosecurity Protocols for Domestic Flights, but Mayors Get Final Say

Medellin Herald July 1, 2020

Colombia’s Health and Transport Ministers on July 1 unveiled long-awaited aviation biosecurity protocols – hoping to spur more economic recovery, but also aiming to minimize Covid-19 infections for all future domestic passenger flights. However, mayors and departmental governors get the final say on whether and when to allow any flights, according to the new protocol. […]

Other Norms

Medellin Metro Area Cracking-Down on Stores over Covid-19 Biosafety; Pico y Cedula Restriction to Continue on Tax-Free Day

Medellin Herald July 1, 2020

The Medellin Mayor’s Office announced July 1 that it is intensifying biosafety inspections and shutdowns of retail outlets that fail to comply with strict controls designed to thwart Covid-19 infections. Meanwhile, the Area Metropolitana de Valle de Aburra (AMVA, the Medellin metro government coordinating agency) announced June 30 that “pico y cedula” restrictions will

Other Norms

President Duque Details 43 Exemptions to Quarantine Starting June 1; International Flights Would Resume from September 1; Outdoor Exercise OK for Adults, Seniors

Medellin Herald May 29, 2020

Following a nationally televised address last night (May 28), Colombia President Ivan Duque signed “Decree 749” listing 43 industrial, commercial, educational and personal exemptions from the national Covid-19 quarantine starting June 1. In addition, Transport Minister Angela Orozco announced during the same televised address that international flights to and from Colombia

Other Norms

Colombia’s Transport Minister: International Flights Banned Through August 31

Medellin Herald May 21, 2020

Colombia Transport Minister Ángela María Orozco announced last night (May 20) in a nationally televised presentation on Coronavirus regulations that regular international passenger flights to and from Colombia will be banned through August 31. The surprising announcement came just one day after President Ivan Duque stated that international and national flights —

Other Norms

Colombia Switches from General Quarantine to ‘Health Emergency’ June 1; Ban Continues on All Domestic, International Flights & Inter-City Travel Through June 30

Medellin Herald May 19, 2020

Colombia President Ivan Duque announced May 19 in a nationwide address that Colombia will transition from Covid-19 “general quarantine” to potentially less-severe, city-specific “health emergency” regulations starting June 1 through August 31. Differences between “quarantine” and “health emergency” regulatory limits could prove to be relatively great in areas

Other Norms

Quarantine to Extend to May 25, but One-Third of Colombians Could Escape it as More Economic Sectors, Rural Areas to Open with New Biosafety Protocols

Medellin Herald May 5, 2020

Some 15 million Colombians could be freed from Coronavirus quarantine this month as a result of new flexibility measures for certain economic sectors as well as for some 800 municipalities that (to date) haven’t had a single case of Covid-19. This “Covid-free-area” exemption potentially would include large areas of rural Antioquia — but not in […]

Banking & Financial Services

Bancolombia Extends US$4.3 Billion in Low-Interest Payroll Loans to 293,000 Small Businesses Following President Duque’s Prodding on Coronavirus-Crisis Aid

Medellin Herald April 28, 2020

Medellin-based banking giant Bancolombia announced April 27 that it has approved COP$17.4 trillion (US$4.3 billion) in payroll-coverage loans to 293,000 small, medium and independent businesses in Colombia via a new National Guarantee Fund (FNG) Coronavirus-crisis program. Under the FNG program, the government of Colombia is assuming 90% of the payback risk, thus helping

Other Norms

Medellin Adopts Employer-Employee Controls for Partial Reopening of Economy During Coronavirus Crisis

Medellin Herald April 24, 2020

Medellin Mayor Daniel Quintero announced April 24 a novel computerized registration scheme – unique in all Colombia — for all employers and employees in the construction and manufacturing sectors that are reopening for business on April 27 in the Valle de Aburra metro area. Employers are now registering their businesses (and their employees) at

Other Norms

Medellin Metro Areas Unify ‘Pico y Cedula’ April 27 To May 11 with New Rotations

Medellin Herald April 23, 2020

The Area Metropolitana de Valle de Aburra (AMVA) announced April 23 that Medellin and all its neighbors in Valle de Aburra will switch to a unified “pico y cedula” system restricting grocery, medicine and banking trips to certain days of the week during the Coronavirus quarantine. The new order covers Medellin, Barbosa, Itagüí, Caldas, Sabaneta, […]