As Colombia prepares for return of domestic flights in July, cities like Cartagena hope their economy will recover through tourism, a sector that has been unable to function during the pandemic. Municipalities and local governments along the coast are also drafting measures and protocols for the use of beaches.

As for the new economic measures that were announced this June, below, we list some of them:

• Unilateral termination of commercial leasing contracts is allowed, in the case of premises intended for gyms, discotheques, amusement parks, among others, with a maximum penalty equivalent to one third of what was originally agreed in the lease.
• The 19% VAT exemption is authorized until December 31, 2020 for tourism and hotel sectors.
• The state will pay 40% of a minimum wage (approximately $ 300 a month) to the employees of the companies that present a 20% decrease or more in their billing, in order to protect jobs and support employers. This subsidy, called the Program for the Support of Formal Employment, will be valid until July 2020.
• Mobile telephone and telecommunications services cannot be suspended as they are essential public services.