Colombia: Mandatory health pass in large concentrations in the capital

Its capital Colombia makes the health pass mandatory for participation in public events in which large crowds gather, announced the mayor Claudia Lopez.

Bogota, which has a population of almost 8 million and has been the main focus of the new pandemic coronavirus in the Andean country, has seen the death toll drop to almost zero in recent days and the number of SARS-CoV-2 infections falling dramatically, thanks to the mass vaccination campaign.

Most 80% of the inhabitants of the Colombian capital have received at least one dose of vaccine and 62% have been fully vaccinated, according to the latest official data.

“We will really start reopening the city, returning to normal life,” with a physical presence “in schools and workplaces,” Ms Lopez said during the event.

The return to everyday life begins

According to the center-left mayor, the opening will take place in phases, starting at return to normal operation of public services and private companies on 1 November. From mid-November, there will be regular concerts, sporting events, cinemas and theaters, and large public gatherings, he added.

However, in order for citizens to participate, they must be provided with a vaccination certificate, which must certify that they have received at least one vaccine dose for COVID-19.

In January 2022, physical education classes will resume in schools and universities.

Ms Lopez, who imposed strict measures during the pandemic, stressed that the use of masks will continue and warned those who do not want to be vaccinated, especially people in the age group of 20-40, that they will not be able to get back to normal social life.

On Wednesday, for the first time since 2020, Bogota recorded only one death due to COVID-19.

Colombia, the fourth worst-hit region in Latin America and the Caribbean (with 2,499 dead per million), behind Peru, Brazil and Argentina, has seen cases and deaths fall since late July. .

96% of the country’s 50 million people have already received at least one dose of the vaccine and 42% have been fully vaccinated.

It is the children’s turn to be vaccinated

Besides, from Sunday, Vaccination of children 3 to 11 years of age will begin for COVID-19, utilizing the preparation of the Chinese pharmaceutical company Sinovac, was announced yesterday by President Ivan Duque.

“As of October 31st (…) we are launching the COVID-19 vaccine for children 3 to 11 years old with the Sinovac vaccine,” the head of state said via Twitter.

The goal is to “vaccinate about 7.1 million children in this age group,” said Health Minister Fernando Ruiz.

Although children rarely develop severe forms of the disease, they can become infected and transmit the virus.

The Ministry of Health provided the green light to INVIMA, the Colombian health agency, before approving the vaccination of children, Mr. Ruiz said, adding that the Sinovac formulation “proved to be safe (…).” It has been tested on several million Colombians. “

China and Chile have also approved the use of this vaccine to immunize minors.

In the United States, the country hit hardest by the pandemic, the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine was approved Friday for children ages 5 to 11, paving the way for an immunization campaign of $ 28 million. children in this country.

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