The Ministry of Transport narrows the scope of the Decrees 457 and 482 of 2020

03/04/2020

By means of the External Document No. 20201010125131 of April 2, 2020, the Ministry of Transport narrows the scope of the Decrees 457 and 482 of 2020. Specifically, it states the following:  

1. Cargo transport: cargo transport in the country must be guaranteed, but the activity can only be performed for:

• The transport of medicine, pharmaceutical products, cleaning products, disinfectants, personal cleaning and medical devices.
• The transport of basic goods (food, drink, medicine, medical devices and cleaning), of food and medicine for pet consumption, and other goods necessary for the medical emergency.
• The transport of seeds, agricultural products, fish, cattle and agrochemical products, and food and drink for animal use.
• The transport of base products for the production, supply, import and export of oil, gas, and other minerals. 

Additionally, products and equipment for the maintenance of the vehicles can be transported. 

Finally, cargo meant for import or export can continue to be transported. 

2. Urban massive transport: this service will continue to be provided but the offer cannot be superior to 50% of the maximum offer of a particular system.
3. Urban transport (taxi): this service will continue to be provided, but only if it is requested through a mobile app or by phone, and as long as the passenger complies with the exceptions of the Decree 457 of 2020.
4. Intercity passenger transport: this service will continue to be provided, but the offer is reduced to a maximum of 50% of the authorized capacity in each route. Transport terminals will continue to operate, even remotely due to lack of passengers. If terminals cease to operate due to lack of offer from transport companies, they will not be sanctioned.
5. River transport: will continue to be provide, in accordance to the limitations of the Decree 457 of 2020.

Creation of the Logistics and Transport Center

27/03/2020

By means of the Decree 482 of March 26, 2020, the President of Colombia makes the following decisions: 

Firstly: 

1. Create the Logistics and Transport Center, whose role is to ensure that the service of transport continues to be provided for the duration of the crisis. To this effect, it has the authority to issue regulations and adopt measures that permit to ensure a coordinated response that guarantees the provision of the service with the required security measures. 

Additionally, the following decisions are adopted, regarding the transport service: 

1. Movement of people: intercity transport of people will continue to be provided, according to the provisions of the Decree 457 of 2020, and a reduction of 50% in the offer is decreed. Massive transport inside cities will be ensured, but an offer reduction of 50% is decreed. Taxis can continue to operate, but only by phone or mobile app. 

2. Cargo transport: this service must be ensured, specially if it is necessary to combat the COVID-19 emergency. Contracts for efficient logistic synergies approved by the Logistics and Transport Center, will have a validity date that cannot exceed the termination of the COVID-19 emergency. 

3. Transit support systems: All activities of these entities (driving license issuance, technical check-ups, etc.) will be suspended. 

4. Transport operations: documents required for transport operations, both of cargo and people, can be submitted and carried by digital means. Checkpoints will be established on the national highways, in order to examine and accompany these carriers. 

5. Tolls: toll tariffs for vehicles that perform activities included in the Decree 457 of 2020 and in the Decree 482 are suspended. 

Lastly, economic measures derived from the COVID-19 emergency declaration are taken: 

1. Aeronautical industry: measures are taken to relieve the industry of the difficult situation it is currently experiencing. For example, charges on the use of airport infrastructure are suspended, hour restrictions due to environmental reasons are relaxed, payments to Aerocivil are suspended, among others. 

2. Concessions and infrastructure: suspension of any public transport infrastructure can be ordered, as determined by the Logistics and Transport Center. Infrastructure building projects can continue to be carried out, as determined by the Logistics and Transport Center. Similarly, transport infrastructure contracts can be modified or suspended, as long as it is done so to fight the COVID-19 emergency. Terms of port concessions can be extended, for the time deemed necessary. Private ports are extraordinarily authorized to attend cargo operations whose purpose is to guarantee the supply of basic products.

Exceptions for any public order measure that restricts the right of movement in Colombia

19/03/2020

Decree 420 of 18^th March 2020 

Through Decree 420 of 18^th March 2020, the Ministry of the Interior set the instructions that must be considered by mayors and governors during the health emergency taking place in Colombia as a result of Covid-19. Article 4 of the Decree establishes exceptions that must be applied for any public order measure that restricts the right of movement, such as curfews and drills, stating that “… in no case may the following restrictions be contemplated”: 

1. To restrain the service of ground transportation from town to town for passengers (intermunicipal), cargo and special means, since these modalities are authorized by national authorities and they correspond to the provision of an essential public utility.
2. To establish transit restrictions on national roads since such infrastructure is not within their jurisdiction or competence.
3. In the event of suspension of activities in stores and business premises, such suspension will not include those stores and business premises of food, beverages and basic necessities retailers, pharmaceuticals, medical products, optical products, orthopedic products, hygiene and toilet products, and food and medicines for pets.
4. In the event of closure to the public of gastronomic stores and premises, such closure will not be extended to the offering of their products through e-commerce platforms and/or by delivery, nor to restaurants located within hotel facilities, which may only provide service to their guests.
5. To limit, restrict or impede the functioning of critical and strategic infrastructure for the Nation, departments, districts and municipalities.
6. To restrict the operation of call centers, contact centers, technical support centers providing services in the national territory and e-commerce platforms.
7. The provision of private surveillance and security services.
8. To suspend technical and support services for essential public utilities and telecommunications.

Total and temporary limitation on the circulation of vehicles and persons in Bogota

19/03/2020

Decree 090 of 19^th March 2020

Through Decree 090 of 19^th March 2020, the Mayor of Bogotá D.C. adopted transitory measures to guarantee public order in the Capital District, on the occasion of the declaration of public calamity made through District Decree 087 of 2020. Article 1 of this Decree sets a total limitation on the circulation of vehicles and persons in Bogota, on a temporary basis, from Thursday, 19^th March 2020 at 23:59 hours through Monday, 23^rd March 2020 at 23:59 hours.

Likewise, Article 2 of the above-mentioned Decree establishes as exceptions to this limitation of circulation, among others, the circulation of persons and vehicles to provide or receive the following services and tasks: 

1. Medical care and emergencies and those intended for at home care of patients, provided that they have full identification of the service provider institution to which they belong.
2. Fuel supply and distribution.
3. Ambulance services, health care, pre-hospital care, distribution of medicines at home, pharmacies and veterinary emergencies.
4. To carry out the supply, production, distribution, loading and unloading of basic necessities, hygiene products, prepared foods, medical supplies and safe drinking water, including those associated with the distribution of school feeding program (PAE for its acronym in Spanish) rations.
5. Persons who provide their services to companies or technological platforms dedicated to home delivery of basic necessities, prepared or not prepared food, and pharmaceutical products. They must be fully identified.
6. The provision of essential operation, maintenance and emergency services of public utilities, such as water supply, sewage, energy, sanitation, landfill, natural gas, public lighting and telecommunications services, call center, networks and data center, provided that they may be duly accredited by the respective public and private companies or their accredited licensees.
7. The provision of literary services, exclusively during the time of its provision.
8. The provision of essential operating services of hotels, private security companies and carriage of valuables.
9. The provision of banking and financial services and postal payment operators duly authorized by the National Government.
10. The entry and exit of cargo to and from “El Dorado” International Airport.
11. The transport of living animals and perishable goods.
12. Public Force, State security agencies, Public Prosecutor’s Office, Civil Defense, Red Cross, Ombudsman’s Office, Official Fire Department, Prison Custody and Surveillance Corps, aid agencies and the Attorney General’s Office, Judicial Branch, national, departmental or district emergency and aid agencies.
13. Public servants and state contractors for compliance with activities related to the declaration of public calamity, economic emergency and data collection.
14. The indispensable social programs that require continuity of service are the responsibility of the Colombian institute of family welfare (ICBF for its acronym in Spanish), and the District Secretary of Social Integration, District Secretary of Women and IDIPRON.
15. Those indispensable for the operation of television channels, radio stations, written and digital press, and duly accredited media distributors.
16. The persons who duly accredit being personnel of Transmilenio S.A. and SITP, their operators, licensees, contractors and support personnel necessary for the operation.
17. Airport operational and administrative staff, pilots, crew and passengers who have flights during the simulation period, duly accredited with the respective document, such as tickets and boarding passes, physical or electronic.
18. Personnel working in food and pharmaceutical production plants.
19. The personnel essential to ensure the feeding, care and hygiene of the animals that are confined or under specialized treatment.
20. The individual public taxi service, as long as it is requested by telephone through platforms, to carry out any of the above-mentioned activities providing these services.
21. One person per family could take out their pets or companion animals when necessary in their immediate environment for a period not exceeding 20 minutes.

These persons must have full identification to prove that they are carrying out their duties. The vehicles in which they are transported must have proper identification of the service they provide.