Government announces new measures and restrictions in Colombia: they begin to take effect at zero a.m. on Monday

On the eve of the arrival of Holy Week, the country’s mayors and authorities have warned and made special recommendations to prevent that due to the religious holiday, cases of coronavirus can increase in the country. On the morning of Sunday, April 4, Colombian President Iván Duque announced new measures so that, according to him, a “third painful peak” does not occur. Although the consequences of some of the settlements that have been sighted these days, due to the Big Week, are reflected in about 14 days, the President has already imposed restrictions to prevent the numbers from rising dramatically.

As expected, the president announced his strategic plan, to counter the figures according to which, according to the Colombian Ministry of Health, in the country there are 2,437,197 confirmed cases, Bogotá being the most infected area with a total of 692,249. Until Saturday April 3, 2021, there were recorded, in the country, 9,149 positives, 155 dead and 8,469 recovered. So far they are registered in in total 63,932 deaths and 2,309,356 cured.

“The Colombians, together with the team from the Ministry of Health and with the team of epidemiological experts, we have analyzed the situation of the behavior of covid-19 in the world in recent weeks,” the president started by saying in his speech.

According to the president, the contagion and third peak situation in European countries, where up to date, According to him, up to 30,000 or 40,000 daily cases were reached, he made decisions on the viral situation in Colombia.

For the president, the increase in infections in some municipalities in the country is worrying, as well as the possibility of an increase in the numbers in the coming days. “We must act, prevent and make decisions in a timely manner.”

Iván Duque placed particular emphasis on certain regions of the country such as Bogotá, Manizales, Armenia, Tunja, Barranquilla, Montería, Leticia and Pereira, which are under observation due to the increasing curve of cases and deaths. . Likewise, he mentioned the places that, in addition to contagions, have an alarming increase in the occupancy of intensive care beds, on the list are Medellín, Cali, Santa Marta, Barranquilla.

By means of a circular, the national government, in collaboration with the Ministry of the Interior, is launching new measures which include the following, and which will be in effect from zero hours on Monday April 5 to zero hours on Monday April 19 month.

1. For cities with intensive care occupancy, between 50% and 69%: possibly establish peak and identification measures, and establish night restrictions on mobility between 00:00 and 05:00

2. For cities with intensive care occupancy, between 70% and 79%: establish advanced and identification measures, and establish night-time restrictions on mobility between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.

3. For cities with intensive care occupancy, between 80% and 85%: establish advanced and identification measures, and establish night-time restrictions on mobility between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m.

4. For cities with intensive care occupancy more than 85% eventually establish peak and identification measures, and establish nighttime restrictions on mobility between 6:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.

These measures go hand in hand with others targeting places such as hotels, establishments in the gastronomic industry, they are not included in cases where peak and hourly measurement is implemented. Likewise, said the president, the transit of people and vehicles which, for their return, are authorized to circulate on the dates indicated at any time.

On the other hand, Iván Duque assured that home services and the exercise of the activities indicated in Decree 1076 of 2020 are authorized.

The president insisted that under no circumstances should citizens be prohibited from purchasing basic necessities during the nighttime restriction. The sale of intoxicating drinks is not prohibited, nor their consumption in restaurants or their demand at home.

The president asked the governors to take measures such as not to allow events of a public nature, not allowing the opening of discotheques and dance halls, the consumption of intoxicating drinks in public spaces and commercial establishments. Strengthen control over the holding of festivals and meetings in general, and prohibit the holding of regional celebrations.

The leaders, explained Duque, of the towns occupying UCIs above 70%, or with high levels of contagion, can regulate the use of public places that generate agglomeration, such as squares or beaches.

Likewise, the Colombian president has made recommendations to families or people who have just arrived on a trip, in their home towns, after spending their holidays abroad. It is important, recalls the president, to practice voluntary administrative segregation, at least for seven days and, in the event of symptoms, to warn health professionals directly.

“It is essential not to let our guard down, we remain vigilant”, The president assured that following this, he was ready to recall the basic biosecurity measures which, As remembered from the start of the pandemic, these are constant hand washing, social isolation and the correct use of a mask.

And the vaccination ?:

Alejandro Gaviria, former Minister of Health and current rector of the Universidad de los Andes, reflected on what awaits Colombia in the coming weeks.

“Barely a month ago, I was optimistic. The vaccination started with great expectations. Observed or inferred immunity levels were high in several cities, indicating substantial protection. A study for Bogotá, carried out by a group of professors from the Universidad de los Andes, showed, for example, that the percentage of infections could be close to 60% of the affected population, ”commented the academic.

He also comments on the case of Manaus, a Brazilian city which would have obtained collective immunity due to the uncontrolled passage of the virus.A and a study showed that the percentage of the infected population exceeded 70%, which experts called the number for obtaining herd immunity.

“At the end of December, the situation in Manaus suddenly worsened. No one had foreseen it. Today, I see this news as a worrying omen. Another Imperial College study attempted to explain the apparent contradiction. He cited three possible causes: an error in the initial seroprevalence studies, a short duration of acquired immunity or a direct effect of viral variants (which could, in principle, escape acquired immunity in a high percentage of the population. population) “explained the former Colombian minister.

Gaviria believes that seeing the panorama in distant countries but also in neighboring countries, the situation in Colombia will perhaps worsen. “The speed of contagion exceeds the progress of vaccination. Difficult weeks will come. I want to stay optimistic. I want to think the worst is over. But it turns out, I think, counter-obvious “, he pointed out.

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