According to the Ministry of the Interior, the opening will be gradual and will take place without affecting the implementation of biosecurity measures established by health authorities.

Migracion Colombia (Colombia Migration) said there will be health controls in the five border crossing points by authorities in each region.

It added that Venezuelan migrants who want to enter the country on their way to another nation will also be subject to the same restrictions and will have to fill out a local form with their personal information.

There will also be schedules and restrictions for admission according to the last number of people’s ID document.

Nearly 2 million Colombians live in Venezuela, according to a 2002 census, but this figure amounts to nearly five million according to calculations made by independent organizations.

Colombians residing in Venezuela have the same rights of nationals under regulations such as the 2001 Organic Law on Refugees and Asylum Seekers.

Nearly two million Venezuelans live in Colombia, but 90 percent of them live off informal economy and 56 percent do not have a regular migratory status, accoding to official figures.

Historically, the migration phenomenon has been part of Colombian-Venezuelan relations, but it has been mainly motivated by economic causes.

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