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The President of Colombia, Ivan Duque, announced the current stay at home order and state of emergency is extended for a third time from Monday, May 11 until May 25. This is the third extension of the state of emergency which began on March 24, 2020 to slow down the spread of COVID-19, save lives and flatten the curve for the health care system.

The president also announced additional economic and social measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 as well as the lifting of certain restrictions and partial opening of the economy:

• Since April 27, some sectors of the economy, such as the construction and manufacturing sector, were allowed to reopen with restrictions. The president has now announced additional sectors may reopen such as automotive sales and furniture wholesale sales. Business such as laundromats, printing shops and bookstores may operate but on a delivery basis only. The mayors of each municipality will have the power to determine to what extent these new sectors may open and to ensure compliance with the restrictions set forth.
• Children between the ages of 6 and 17 years old will be allowed to leave home accompanied by adults for a half hour, three times a week.
• In the 890 Colombian municipalities with no registered cases of COVID-19 may reopen even more business sections with restrictions.

The following restrictions will continue until May 30, 2020:

• Adults over the age of 70 and adults considered high risk (hypertension, respiratory problems, diabetes, etc.) must continue to self-isolate at home.
• Kindergartens, schools, and universities will remain closed until May 30.
• The current restriction on national and international flights continues. The country’s airports are closed except for exigent circumstances such as the transportation of cargo, medical supplies, or humanitarian missions.
• Public transportation systems are allowed to operate but with strict protocols and capacity is capped at 35%.