Coronavirus in Cali, Colombia

By patrickencali

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Apr 14, 2021 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...

We are experiencing the third wave of infections after all of the activity during Easter week. The situation is being controlled by the Mayor of Cali with every other day entrance to large commercial establishments depending on your ID number. We appear to be better off than Bogota, Medellin, and Barranquilla despite the super-social tendencies of the population here.

How People are Coping

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

Follow the rules: Avoid crowds. Wear a face mask. Wash your hands.

Government Response

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

The government is handling the situation professionally, but lacks sufficient vaccines and test kits to proceed as rapidly as they would wish.

Supplies and Shortages

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

See question above.

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...

The biggest concern to me at this time is Brazil. I believe that all travel has been shut with them.

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...

No reply.

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...

If you have a good EPS (public health provider like EPS Sanitas) they do provide testing. It will be done in your house if you are over 60 years old. Other providers are not so good.

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...

EPS Sanitas. My wife, her mother (94 years old) and myself are self quarantined in the apartment. The wife and I do go out occasionally taking the proper precautions.

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...

No private insurance.

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 use my EPS Sanitas affiliated hospitals. Private hospitals would cost a lot of money.

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...

I cannot answer, as I have not had the need to check this out.

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...

I am happy living in Colombia and feel like I have good security net, I am also glad that I am not living in the USA at this time because the people there are more concerned about their personal liberty than the safety of others.