Colombia eases lockdown measures despite 3rd virus peak

Colombia is moving to reactivate its economy by easing several lockdown measures even though it is still fighting a third peak in the coronavirus pandemic, which has been aggravated by a month of crowded antigovernment street protests

BOGOTA, Colombia -- Colombia moved Thursday to reactivate its economy by easing several lockdown measures even though it is still fighting a third peak in the pandemic, which has been aggravated by a month of crowded antigovernment street protests. The Health Ministry said that Colombia will no longer require a negative coronavirus test from travelers entering the country by air and that students will return to classrooms once the vaccination of teachers is completed in July. The ministry also announced that concerts, large sporting events and nightclubs at 25% capacity will be allowed in cities with less than 85% occupancy of ICU beds. This could rise to 50% of capacity in cities that have vaccinated 70% of their population in the first stage, which includes older adults, health workers, teachers and patients with chronic diseases. Colombia, with 50 million inhabitants, has received 14 million doses of vaccine from Pfizer, Sinovac and AstraZeneca, and it has applied 10.3 million doses, according to government figures.