Colombian government eliminates Covid-19 test requirement for travelers

New conditions to enter the country by air established the National Government by eliminating the requirement of having a negative PCR test result up to 96 hours before the flight, for those travelers who needed to arrive in Colombia, which to date existed.
The modification is made by means of a resolution which establishes that “the pre-flight requirements are, firstly, not to present fever or respiratory symptoms associated with Covid-19. Similarly, those travelers who have not previously filled out the Check-Mig application will be prevented from boarding, ”said Julián Fernández Niño, director (e) of Epidemiology and Demography, adding that these provisions are made within the framework of the Testing, Tracking and Sustainable Selective Isolation (PRASS).
For their part, airlines must inform their passengers that upon arrival in Colombia they will be monitored by their insurer, the Ministry of Health or through the CCNR National Tracking Contact Center. In the same way, these entities, as well as airport operators, are committed to reminding their travelers that the use of a mask is mandatory for everyone over two years of age throughout the flight.
It is also specified that travelers should avoid using the bathroom as much as possible on flights of less than two hours. They must wear multiple face masks to replace them during the trip and remain in the assigned seat during the flight time.

Other responsibilities of travelers
It is provided in the new administrative act that passengers must respond to the strict tracking and monitoring that will be carried out by the EPS or the Secretary of Health of the jurisdiction where they stay, therefore this measure applies to both nationals and foreigners.
In addition, people must report to these institutions if during the 14 days after their trip they present suspicious symptoms of Covid-19 and follow the indicated measures, which will be paid for by travelers in case of not being insured.
It also establishes that passengers who plan to leave Colombia must enter the airport 3 hours in advance to board the flight, use the mask from entering the air terminal, during the flight and at the port of arrival; as well as knowing all the health requirements of the country of destination, such as quarantines or tests.
In this regard, Fernández Niño clarified that the requirement of tests in destination countries is not established by the Colombian government, but they are provisions of each nation imposes and therefore must be fulfilled by travelers.

On the flight
The new administrative act, which modifies Resolution 1627 of 2020, establishes a requirement for airlines to designate an exclusive bathroom for the crew, as long as there are enough for the use of travelers and without generating agglomeration. In such a case, restrooms should be allocated based on the location of the passengers.
It is also defined that when there is room to distribute food, it must be done in sealed and prepackaged containers, and by location of letters on the aircraft to prevent passengers in the same row from eating at the same time. Furthermore, in the case of flights lasting less than two hours, airlines must refrain from carrying out service activities on board.
The obligation to clean and disinfect the inflight entertainment services after each flight is also defined; crew members are prohibited from sharing items used for safety demonstrations; and in the event that a traveler presents symptoms associated with Covid-19, they must be isolated.
Fernández added a last explicit recommendation contemplated in the new resolution, defined in that “given the recent evidence, it is suggested that travelers keep silence as much as possible during the trip, since this reduces the risk of transmission during the trip. of the flight, which in any case is still low”.