Coronavirus in Medellin, Colombia

By fecherklyn

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Oct 01, 2020 Update

We Asked: What is currently happening with regard to the Coronavirus outbreak in your area? Please provide as much detail as possible. He replied...

Colombia is still arguably in the initial phase albeit at the closing phase with approx 175 deaths per day, versus say the UK at 30, 0r 40 per day. With a possible 2nd phase to come together with the winter and flue seasons to tend with, it augurs for difficult times still to come. Overall the protective measures put in place in Colombia were similar to other nations, but generally well received and applied. All the same, the level of intensive care facilities was sorely tested. Already a poor country many of the inhabitants are destitute and suffering acutely. As a consequence, criminality has increased significantly.

How People are Coping

We Asked: How are people handling the situation in your area? He replied...

There is not much individuals can do although we have given financial support to those suffering who are within our circle of friends and family.

Government Response

We Asked: Describe how the government of the country about which you are reporting is handling this situation. He replied...

Generally speaking the Colombian government has done well in comparison with most other nations although they have had the advantage of confronting the virus at a later stage than most.

Supplies and Shortages

We Asked: Is there a shortage of supplies in your location? He replied...

Again, Colombia has avoided the troubles of other nations. For the most part, supplies in the market have remained plentiful. Must remember, Colombia is self sufficient for most of its essential requirements.

Travel Restrictions and Related COVID-19 Testing

We Asked: Are non-citizens allowed to travel to your country? Describe travel restrictions, COVID-19 testing requirements and any details about traveling into your country. He replied...

Restrictions into, and out of the country remain in place at this moment for both non-citiens AND citizens.

Health Insurance Requirements

We Asked: Is health insurance required when traveling into the country? Is it required when applying for residency? Is this a new requirement since COVID-19? Describe the health insurance requirement. He replied...

Health insurance is obligatory in Colombia although the laws are not necessarily well applied.

COVID-19 Testing

We Asked: How easy or difficult is it to get a COVID-19 test locally? Where can you get tested? Do you need to have symptoms or a prescription from a doctor? Describe the process. He replied...

Difficult to obtain without significant cost. If you do not show the symptoms you will have to pay an important sum.

Public Healthcare & Public Hospitals

We Asked: Are you enrolled in the public healthcare system where you live? Do you feel that the public hospitals are handling or preparing for the Coronavirus outbreak effectively? He replied...

We are enrolled in both Colombia's private and public healthcare schemes. In general, the Colombian healthcare is better than most and it has coped well with coronvirus.

Private Health Insurance & Private Hospitals

We Asked: Do you have private health insurance? If you have private insurance, does this give you access to private hospitals? Are private hospitals or clinics better prepared, less prepared, or the same? Please explain. He replied...

Yes, a form of "prepago". Selected hospitals and clinics have been assigned to the virus thus leaving the other facilities for the remaining treatments.

Hospital of Choice for Coronavirus Treatment

We Asked: Would you choose a public or private hospital if you needed treatment for Coronavirus? Why? If there is a specific hospital that you would go to in the event of severe illness? Which hospital and why? He replied...

I would choose a private hospital purely because I can afford to. Poorer citizens do not have this luxury Yes, I know the best hospitals to go to according to their specialities..

Residency & Visa

We Asked: Are new residency applications being processed? Have there been any changes or extensions made in terms of residency and other visa renewals? He replied...

Residency and visa application have been shut down since March and have just been reopened in mid September. A "grace" period has been permitted for the regularization of all matters that were postponed during the interim months.

Future Outlook

We Asked: Are you considering returning to your home country due to the Coronavirus? Would this be a temporary move or a permanent repatriation? Please explain. He replied...

No, my attitude has not changed; if anything, it has been fortunate we were residing in Colombia rather than many alternatives elsewhere.