Last Wednesday, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection issued Resolution 1687 by means of which Resolution 777 of 2021 is modified in the sense of increasing the capacity allowed in places or massive events, public or private.
In this sense, the administrative act contemplates the modification of Article 4 of 777, which establishes the criteria and conditions for the development of economic, social and State activities.
"These measures are oriented, fundamentally, to achieve that in the different places of the country progress is made in the National Vaccination Plan and that we can enjoy these recreational, cultural entertainment and sports activities, in a safe way", assured the Minister of Health and Social Protection, Fernando Ruiz Gómez.
There are three cycles, as follows:
Cycle 1
Cycle 1 begins when this resolution comes into force and lasts until the district or municipality reaches a coverage of 69% of the vaccination of the population prioritized in Phase 1 (Stage 1, 2 and 3) of the National Vaccination Plan.
The resolution contemplates that "in this cycle, public or private events may be held, including concerts, massive sporting events, discotheques and dance venues, provided that the occupancy of ICU beds of the department to which the municipality belongs, is equal or less than 85%, that the physical distance of at least 1 meter is maintained and that a maximum capacity of 25% of the capacity of the infrastructure where the event is held is respected".
Additionally, the activities that are already operating may continue with the development of their activities, as long as the physical distance of at least 1 meter is respected.
Cycle 2
It begins when the municipality or district reaches 70% coverage of vaccination against covid-19 of the prioritized population of Phase 1 (Stages 1, 2 and 3) referred to in Article 7 of Decree 109 of 2021.
It may also begin when the municipality or district reaches a Municipal Epidemiological Resilience Index that exceeds 0.5. This cycle ends when the territory reaches a value of 0.74 in the IREM (Municipal Epidemiological Resilience Index).
"In this cycle, public or private events may be held, which includes concerts, massive sporting events, discotheques and dance venues, as long as the physical distance of at least 1 meter is maintained and a maximum capacity of 50% of the capacity of the infrastructure where the event is held is respected," reads the resolution.
However, it is indicated that district and municipal mayors may authorize capacity of up to 75% in those places or public or private mass events in which it is required as a requirement for admission, the presentation by attendees and participants of the vaccination card or digital certificate of vaccination, which shows, at least, the beginning of the vaccination schedule. The latter is available at Mivacuna.sispro.gov.co.
Cycle 3
It begins when the municipality or district reaches a municipal epidemiological resilience index of 0.75 and will last until the validity of this resolution.
In this cycle, public or private events may be held, including concerts, massive sporting events, discotheques and dance venues, as long as a physical distance of 1 meter is maintained and a maximum capacity of 75% of the capacity of the infrastructure where the event is held is respected.
However, district and municipal mayors may authorize a capacity of up to 100% in those places or massive public or private events in which it is required, as a requirement for admission, the presentation by attendees and participants of the vaccination card or digital certificate of vaccination, which shows, at least, the beginning of the vaccination schedule.
The latter is available at Mivacuna.sispro.gov.co. In this regard, it is also explained that if the occupancy of ICU beds in a department is greater than 85%, public transport in that department must operate with a maximum capacity of 70%. The capacity may be increased above 70% if the occupancy of ICU beds is less than 85%.
Medellín is the first city to publicly allow 100% seating capacity
*From today Medellin authorizes the 100% capacity in public & private events. It must be shown the vaccine certification to get in.
Finally, the Mayor's Office of Medellin confirmed after publishing this resolution that in the process of economic reactivation, with the authorization decrees of the National Government, it will allow 100% capacity in events such as soccer matches in the stadium, movie theaters, casinos, theater, concerts, fairs and exhibitions.
"From today in the city of Medellin, thanks to the progress of vaccination, the decrease of contagions that we have had in recent weeks, we will be able to have capacities of up to 100% in all those spaces and events that are made. This is very good news because it was the last restriction that existed in terms of COVID-19", explained Esteban Restrepo, Secretary of Government of Medellin.
The capital of Antioquia reports 0.83 in the IREM index, and, precisely, thanks to this measurement, the Mayor's Office of Medellin authorizes this new percentage of capacity in massive events.
It is important to highlight that Medellín is the first city in Colombia, out of the eleven cities that can do so in the country, according to the IREM, to authorize this new measure in its territory.
It is worth remembering that those events held from this date onwards with 100% capacity must require vaccination cards for all attendees.
