Entry to Colombia: COVID-19 Vaccination Required
In one fell swoop, President Duque has delivered what looks like a critical blow to VAX-sceptic travellers in Colombia.
By Kaveh Paymayesh
President Iván Duque recently announced on his Twitter that all visitors entering Colombia as of 14/12/2021 must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination.
Bajo recomendación de comité asesor de @MinSaludCol, desde diciembre 14 todo viajero internacional de 18 años y más que ingrese a Colombia, deberá presentar carnet o certificado de vacunación COVID-19 con esquema completo. Protegemos visitantes y preservamos 73% de vacunación.
— Iván Duque 🇨🇴 (@IvanDuque) December 6, 2021
Under recommendation of the advisory committee of @MinSaludCol, from December 14th, all international travellers 18 and over that enter Colombia will be obliged to present certification of COVID-19 vaccination. We protect visitors and preserve 73% vaccination (rate).
President Ivan Duque’s decision has been informed by the Ministerio de Salud y Protección Social de Colombia (Colombian Ministry of Health and Social Protection).
The announcement has come at a time when 25.3 million Colombians have been fully vaccinated (having received two doses). In a country of 50.88 million, this means that 49.72% of all Colombians are fully immunized against COVID-19.
This figure is expected to quickly increase; Colombia’s vaccination campaign has enjoyed a successful launch, with 58.89 million doses being administered since the 17th Feb 2021. Many have only received one dose.
In addition to this, all Colombian adults will be required to present proof of vaccination in order to enter any bar, restaurant, museum or entertainment facility.
These draconian measures are to be implemented as part of Colombia’s goal to maintain a 73% vaccination rate – higher than that of the US and on par with the UK.
This is undoubtedly a controversial decision and one that will have massive implications on the profile of Colombia’s visitors.
My thoughts (for what they matter)
Given that I am up-to-date with my COVID-19 vaccinations, this is a situation that’ll not impact me personally.
However, from what I observe within multiple online communities, this decision marks the end of the line for many travellers in Colombia.
A community in particular, Expats in Medellin, is a source of contention with many expressing dismay in response to the new policy.
When you consider the early disparity in international vaccine distribution – I’m happy that Colombia is now able to dispense doses out to its citizens.
Let’s not forget that Colombia is an economically challenged country. A COVID crisis is a lot more crippling than it is in places like the UK.
Colombia’s lockdowns resulted in the nation’s heaviest recession on record. Approximately 25% of total employment was wiped out during the lockdowns of 2020.
Also, Colombia’s informal market makes up around 62% of the country’s total jobs. This means that those workers received little societal protection. Many were surviving lockdowns through charity! It was tough a time.
All this is to say: vaccinations can remove the need for lockdowns. By doing so, economic disaster can be averted. For that reason, I understand why this policy is to be enacted.
On the other hand, Colombia has only just begun to attract foreign travellers; an industry with huge economic potential. How detrimental is this going to be to that industry?
I’d hate to see Colombia’s potential in this sector stifled by such a decision.
All in all, I doubt that Colombia will be the last nation to implement such strict measures. We’ll have to wait and see what the future holds for us.
What are your thoughts on this?
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