The COVID-19 PCR test will be requested from Colombians and foreigners arriving in the country, given the circulation of new coronavirus lines. The measure enters into force on April 7.
The Ministry of Health and Social Protection in the constant review of the scientific literature and evidence that allows us to know more and better the Sars-CoV2 virus, which causes COVID-19, decided by an administrative act to unify and update biosecurity measures both for domestic as well as international flights.
In this regard, Julián Alfredo Fernández Niño, Director of Epidemiology and Demography, indicated that, by Resolution 411 of 2021, all biosecurity protocols are unified on national and international flights ”. Due to the pandemic, we had several administrative acts on domestic flights that were updated and also two on international flights. We are now merging into one, with specific recommendations starting April 7, 2021. “
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Thus, in general, most recommendations apply to any type of flight. “Some recommendations that are already outdated or have little scientific evidence are updated, such as those related to restrictions on aircraft entertainment systems, as properly disinfected does not pose a greater risk,” the official explained.
In addition, blankets can be used for previous or subsequent disinfection. This is because there is little evidence of contagion by surfaces. In other measures, recommendations are provided for the safe opening of VIP lounges at airports and the measurement of the temperature at the entrance of these air terminals is withdrawn.
On the other hand, some recommendations are maintained, such as keeping quiet on the plane. Likewise, on flights of more than two hours in which people can eat, they must do so at intervals allocated in turns, in order to avoid all passengers taking off their masks at the same time.
A very important recommendation – Fernández pointed out – is for all people to wear surgical masks and, in the case of adults over the age of 60, to wear N95. “This given the emergence of new variants and contact with people of different backgrounds indoors, which, despite the ventilation of aircraft, forces us to take extreme measures.” This update highlights the continued use of CoronApp on domestic flights and Check-Mig on international flights. “The reason we believe CoronApp is effective is that it is now connecting to the results of the COVID-19 sample and revealing whether people have tested positive in the last 14 days.” (You may be wondering: does Coronapp work or not?)
For this reason, Fernández said, the recommendation is reiterated to travelers who have had positive tests in the last 14 days, have been in contact with a suspected case of COVID-19 or have symptoms, will not be able to travel.
PCR test application to passengers
In view of the emergence of new COVID-19 lines, including Brazilian, British, South African, among others, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection has established a mandatory PCR test with a negative result from Colombians and foreigners living in Colombia who wish to enter the national territory by air. “With the emergence of three strains of public health interest and others under observation, a challenge is emerging regarding the need to strengthen genomic surveillance. Therefore, the Ministry updates its recommendations based on the best available scientific evidence, “the official explained.