​Bogotá DC, August 25, 2020. After the announcement of a phase of selective isolation with responsible individual distancing in Colombia, the Minister of Health and Social Protection, Fernando Ruiz, indicated that from now on Colombians have a great responsibility for compliance with measures and care.

"We have come a long way, having the experience and knowing what covid-19 is and obviously this has to do with self-care," Ruiz said, adding that this new phase is an opening of space in general, which implies passing from a preventive isolation of defined quarantine, to an area with openness and economic reactivation but with conditions.

However, the health minister explained, the control measures continue for public and social events that involve crowds, as well as commercial establishments where nightclub and bar activities take place, recalling that the latter could only open for meals, even "protocols can be prepared for the opening of bars in accordance with the conditions of each municipality," he revealed.

So, in principle, openness means that all social and economic activities can take place, including gyms, cinemas or restaurants, but in accordance with the considerations of the authorities. "Especially the highly affected municipalities would have restrictions according to the proposals of the mayors of each city," Ruiz explained.

In relation to the opening of highways and national flights, Ruiz explained that unless a special situation happens at the request of a mayor–which would be studied in accordance with the conditions of the regulatory authority–there will be progressive opening at airports.

Covid-19 vaccine

In relation to the announcement that Colombia will participate in the phase 3 clinical trials of the vaccine for covid-19 being developed by the Janssen pharmaceutical laboratory, Ruiz indicated that the country was selected after some conversations, but that the door has also been opened and that they have been talking to other industries.

"We have been talking with all the companies developing the work, some have shown interest, others not so much and with others we continue conversations," said the minister, adding that in the case of the clinical tests that will be carried out in the country, basically, what prevails is the interest to help in the development of the vaccine and to have the possibility in that respect in Colombia.