Government opens international flights
The President of the Republic of Peru, Martín Vizcarra, announced that international flights from Peru to seven countries in the region will resume.
These are 11 destinations in seven Latin American countries. Vizcarra indicated that these are Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia and Chile.
“The transfer, round trip, of passengers will be allowed in a range of up to four hours of flight. It is estimated in the first list of countries and destinations, ”noted the president.
So far, airlines such as Viva Air and Latam Airlines have announced that they will resume international flights from the fortnight of October.
Tourism in Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu will receive fewer tourists after the COVID-19 crisis
The famous Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, in southern Peru, will decrease its capacity in recent years to less than half, after the Peruvian Government has set 2,244 the maximum number of daily visitors that it may receive after the paralysis of tourist activities for the COVID-19 epidemic.
The new capacity was announced in a decree signed this Tuesday by the Minister of Culture, Alejandro Neyra, and marks an average drop of 50% in the reception of daily tourists, which in the high season of recent years reached 5,000, in two shifts.
The announcement of the Ministry of Culture was published in the official gazette when tourist activities in Peru are still suspended and based on the recommendations of a “Study of load capacity and acceptable change limits” for the Peruvian historical sanctuary in the period 2015-2019.
Machu Picchu refines protocols to receive visitors again
Those responsible for the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu are designing health protocols to reopen this jewel of Peruvian tourism, which has been closed for three months due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“The protocols are being refined in coordination with all the corresponding instances to be able to reopen Machu Picchu in the framework of this pandemic situation to avoid any type of contagion,” the head of the archaeological park told AFP by telephone. José Quite.
Among the protocols is the mandatory use of masks, distancing between people and hand washing upon entry, the official said.
“Definitely everyone is going to have to have a mask, they are going to have to wash their hands before and clean their shoes,” explained Pretty.
“We are at zero tourists since March 16 (…), no tourist has accessed Machu Picchu,” he said.
The stone citadel built about 600 years ago, visited by 1.5 million tourists in 2019, now remains empty with very few staff.
“During the state of emergency, the park has been left with the minimum and necessary personnel to prevent it from deteriorating. An archaeologist has been in charge of the maintenance ”, explained Bastante.
Free pass
The Peruvian government announced in early May that it will try to revive tourism by enabling free entry to natural reserves and archaeological sites, including Machu Picchu, for Peruvian public employees, children and the elderly.
The Ministry of Commerce and Tourism (Mincetur), at the head of the initiative, tries to promote in this way one of the activities most affected by the pandemic, which stopped the arrival of foreign visitors to the country.
In addition to 55 archaeological sites, it will be free for some Peruvians to enter 22 natural reserves in the Amazon.
Tourist sites will apply a biosecurity protocol when they receive visitors again.
Coronavirus: information for travelers
At the time of entering the country, all persons must present the Traveler’s Health Affidavit in a mandatory manner in order to prevent the entry of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
If you visited a country with cases of local transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19), remember that you must isolate yourself at home for 14 days as a preventive measure as indicated by Supreme Decree 008-2020-SA.
Likewise, if you are at the airport and you have symptoms before or after an international trip, go to the International Air Health (SAI) area, where you will receive medical attention.
Recommendations for travelers
- The use of masks does not prevent the spread of the virus.
- Cover your nose and mouth with your forearm or a tissue when coughing or sneezing, and dispose of tissues in a closed container.
- Wash your hands properly for 20 seconds with soap and water. Don’t forget to lather.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, without having previously washed your hands.
- Avoid sharing food, utensils, and your personal items (comb, towel, clothing, etc.).
- Have alcohol gel on hand in case you don’t have access to soap and water.
- Avoid direct contact with people with respiratory problems.
- Don’t self-medicate.
- If during your trip to the country with cases of local transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19) you had contact with a person who has been diagnosed with the disease and / or has symptoms of acute respiratory infection such as:
- Fever of 38 ° C or higher.
- Cough.
- Sore throat.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Nasal congestion.
