Quarantine Goes National, Extends Through First Minute of April 13

Colombia President Ivan Duque announced late last night (March 20) that the coronavirus quarantine on nearly all people and vehicles (already effective in Medellin and Antioquia) will be extended nationally through the first minute of April 13.

“Essential activities, such as access to health services, purchase of food and medicine, access to banking and postal services, provision of essential public services and security services, among others, will be guaranteed” during the quarantine, President Duque added in a tweet shortly after midnight today (March 21).

Similarly, Medellin Mayor Daniel Quintero clarified that Medellin residents can continue to venture out for food and medicines, but only one person per family is allowed in order to reduce potential contamination at stores and pharmacies.

Antioquia Governor Anibal Gaviria added in a separate tweet that his government has organized an emergency meeting with mayors in Antioquia this morning (March 21) to answer questions and clarify the extent of restrictions.

“In development of the state of emergency, we will apply a mandatory preventive isolation for all Colombians, from next Tuesday, March 24 at 11:59 p.m., until Monday, April 13, at 00:00 hours,” President Duque stated in a televised press conference last night.

“This decision does not suspend or in any way alter the preventive isolation drills that are in progress” in Medellin, Antioquia and Bogota, he added.

The quarantine will be accompanied by flexibilities “guaranteeing the food supply, access to medicines, the adequate provision of essential public services, as well as of those indispensable for the functioning of society,” he said.

“Any group that feels that the implementation of this [quarantine] measure requires additional action to cover their special needs, we want them to know that we will have open lines to listen to them and so that no vulnerable Colombian is left out of the support network of the state and the society,” he added.

As of March 24, the Colombian Health Ministry recorded 378 confirmed cases of Coronavirus nationally, led by Bogota (120 cases). Medellin and Antioquia have reported 52 cases so far, according to the Ministry.

So far, six people have recovered from Coronavirus, while three have died. The three reported deaths  to date include a taxi driver in Cartagena who had transported a group of infected Italian tourists earlier this month, then a 70-year-old woman in Cali who was exposed to the virus by her daughter who had recently returned from a trip to Cuba, and finally an 88-year-old man in Santa Marta.