Peru Travel Update during the Coronavirus covid 19

Peru Travel Update: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak

Dear Travelers: From your Local Friends in Cusco, Peru, please receive our warmest and most sincere greetings in such hard times, but with much hope for the future, we send you all our positive energies in order to overcome this world pandemic that has separated us from all our loved ones and friends around the world.

Like every storm that comes to an end, this pandemic will be temporary. There will be moments in the near future when we can be together again, enjoying the beauty of our planet and all the wonders that await us.

In these difficult times, we are here to help you and happy to answer any questions and give you peace of mind. Please check out this article with regular updates on what’s going on in Peru and Machupicchu during these times.

REGULAR PERU TRAVEL UPDATES

Update on March 11th, 2021:

Mandatory quarantine for travelers entering Peru will be suspended. The Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur) announced that the mandatory 14-Day quarantine for travelers entering the country will be suspended.

* The dates for the change are expected to be announced tomorrow.

However, you will still need to provide a negative result from an antigen test, a molecular test (RT-PCR) with the results given no later than 72 hours before your arrival.

Update on March 8th, 2021:

CUSCO: All archaeological sites, including Machu Picchu, the Short Inca Trail; Cusco and the Sacred Valley Sites including the Rainbow Mountain and Humantay Lake are open now again. Cusco’s night curfew is from 9 pm to 4 am

*** International Travel Requirements:

While international borders are still officially open, all flights from Europe & Brazil will continue to be suspended, in addition to all flights 8 hours or longer.

The entry of foreign nationals who travel from Europe, Brazil are South Africa who are not residents of Peru are banned from entry.

To enter Peru you need will need to provide a negative result from an antigen test, a molecular test (RT-PCR) with the results given no later than 72 hours before your arrival, or a statement of health from a certified epidemiologist. For minors less than 12 years of age, a clean bill of health from a certified medical provider can be used to enter the country. Masks and face shields are required for everyone except minors under 2 years old. You will also need to fill out and keep on your person at all times your sworn statement of health, which should be printed out and shown upon your arrival.

Upon entering Peru there’s a mandatory 14-day quarantine, with travelers given 24 hours to reach their final destination where they can quarantine. On day-6 you can legally leave quarantine with a negative molecular test. However, We doubt the quarantine requirement on arrivals will stay in place much longer. The government is under pressure from the Tourism sector to lift the requirement at least for people that have been vaccinated first. 

Update on February 24, 2021:

Quarantine in Lima and 9 other extreme-risk regions has been lifted. The following new measures will take effect in these areas between March 1st to 14th, 2021:

  • The curfew will be between 9 pm and 4 am, and social immobilization will take place all day on Sunday.
  • The capacity of supermarkets, pharmacies, wine cellars and other necessities stores is 40%.
  • The delivery service of the pharmacy can be open 24 hours a day.
  • The capacity of shopping malls, department stores, and outdoor performing arts venues is 20%.
  • The capacity of the restaurant is 30%; delivery service between 4am and 11pm.
  • The capacity in banks and other financial institutions is 40%. It accounts for 40% in salons, spas, barbershops and related businesses.
  • The capacity of libraries, museums, archaeological monuments, cultural centers, art galleries, zoos, botanical gardens, etc. is 30%
  • The capacity of educational and cultural space is 20%.
  • According to the regulations of the Ministry of Transport (MTC), the capacity of inter-provincial land transportation is 50% to 100%.

So which areas are at extreme-risk?

Metropolitan Lima, Huaura, Barranca, Huarochiri, and Huaral (Lima region); Callao (Callao region); Maynas (Loreto region); Ilo (Moquegua region); Oxapampa (Pasco region); Puno (Puno region); and Tacna (Tacna); Huaraz (Ancash region); Huamanga (Ayacucho region); Canchis (Cusco region); Huancavelica and Tayacaja (Huancavelica region); Huanuco (Huanuco region); Ica and Chincha (Ica region); Huancayo, Tarma, Chanchamayo, Satipo, and Chupaca (Junin region).

CUSCO: This region is not at extreme-risk so the above measures do not apply (except for one province called Canchis) That being said, All archaeological sites, including Machu Picchu, the Short Inca Trail, Cusco and the Sacred Valley Sites; Rainbow Mountain and Humantay Lake will be re-opened again from March 1st. Cusco’s night curfew is from 9 pm to 4 am

Update on February 12, 2021:

The quarantine has been officially extended to February 28. Starting from February 15 to 28, the curfew in designated extreme areas has been extended from 6 pm to 6 am. 

CUSCO: While Cusco Region will not go into lockdown, all archaeological sites, including Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley Sites, will remain closed. Cusco’s night curfew is from 8 pm to 4 am

After the first batch of vaccines from Sinopharm arrived on February 8, the Government has also confirmed that 1.5 million Pfizer vaccines will be delivered in March.

Update on February 09, 2021:

The first batch of vaccines arrived in Peru, the last Sunday which marks the beginning of vaccination for the country, the first batch of vaccines are reserved for the front-line workers mainly health workers. The second batch is expected for mid-February. 
DOMESTIC TRAVEL: Domestic flights are running normally within Peru except from/to Huanuco and Junin Regions. Passengers boarding domestic flights in “extreme” areas (Ancash, Apurimac, Callao, Ica, Huancavelica, Hanuco, Junin, Lima and Pasco) are required to provide a negative molecular or antigen Covid-19 test, which should not be older than 72 hours of the date the results are displayed. 
INTERNATION TRAVEL: Although the international border is still officially open, all flights from Europe and Brazil will continue to be suspended, in addition to all flights of 8 hours or longer.
Upon entering Peru there’s still a mandatory 14-day quarantine, with travelers given 24 hours to reach their final destination where they can quarantine. On day-6 you can leave quarantine with a negative molecular test.

Update on January 26, 2021:

Peruvian President Francisco Sagasti announced the following:

LIMA: Lima metropolitan city will go into lockdown from January 31 to February 14. The following regions of Peru are also under the extreme risk category: Callao, Ancash, Pasco, Huanuco, Junin, Huancavelica, Ica, and Apurimac. All establishments, including department stores, churches and museums etc., will be closed to the public. Only grocery stores, pharmacies and bodegas are to be open at 40% capacity. Under this mandatory social immobilization, only one person per household can shop for essentials. Individuals can walk outside for one hour per day. Restaurants can only do delivery.

Domestic flights from Lima will be operating, except to Huánuco and Jauja. International travel will not be suspended. Restrictions for international flights from Europe will continue, and now Brazil is included in the list.

CUSCO: While Cusco Region will not go into lockdown, all archaeological sites, including Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley Sites, will be closed and other restrictions that fall under the “Muy Alto” = very high Number of COVID-19 cases measures.

Nighttime Curfew has been extended to face COVID-19. Divided into medium, high and very high alert areas…

  • Lima’s night curfew is from 6 pm to 6 am
  • Cusco’s night curfew is from 8 pm to 4 am

Update on January 16, 2021:

Entry restriction for passengers from Europe and South Africa. By means of Supreme Decree 004-2021-PCM published yesterday in the official newspaper El Peruano, the Government provided for the suspension of the entry into the country of non-resident travelers from Europe and South Africa or who have made a stopover in those places in the last 14 days. This restriction will be in place until Jan, 31st and is intended to prevent the spread of the new variant of SARS-CoV-2.

The crew members of air, river and lake transport, as well as diplomatic, medical, police missions sent by another State or international organization, are excluded from such restriction. Institutions or companies that need the services of foreign workers are also exempt, but they will be responsible for the daily monitoring of Covid-19 symptomatology.

The people who arrive in the country to make an international connection with another flight within 16 hours of arrival are exempt from the ban. If the time is longer, they must comply with a temporary quarantine until the departure of their connecting flight.

Update on January 13, 2021:

The head of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur), Claudia Cornejo, indicated that currently those who enter our country have to enter with a negative COVID-19 test and must comply with a quarantine period of 14 days – “However, there will be an exception for those who want an additional test on the sixth day of the quarantine and if it is negative, they can continue with their visit with normality,” she said

Nighttime Curfew has been extended to face COVID-19. Divided into medium, high and very high alert areas…

  • Lima’s night curfew is from 9 pm to 4 am
  • Cusco’s night curfew is from 9 pm to 4 am

Update on January 6, 2021:

As mandated by the Ministry of Transport & Communications (MTC), commercial flights between Europe and Peru will continue to be suspended for 15 days. Flights longer than 8 hours will also be suspended.

Update on January 3, 2021:

From January 4, 2021, the Peruvian government has established a 14-day compulsory quarantine for all travelers entering Peru (whether they are Peruvian or foreign citizens). All quarantine can be carried out at its final destination in strict compliance with the Ministry of Health’s recommendations, which require keeping a social distancing, wearing masks and washing hands frequently.

Quarantines can be carried out in hotels or homes at the traveler’s final destination. Arrangements must be printed out and verified upon arrival.
A negative result on a Covid PCR test no later than 72 hours before arrival into Peru is still required to enter the country.
The regulations also stipulate that starting from January 1, 2021, passengers from countries that have identified new variants of the virus will provide antigen testing upon arrival.

Update on December 21, 2020:

Peruvian President (Francisco Sagasti) announced this morning that flights to and from Europe will be suspended for 15 days. This measure followed the announcement of the discovery of a new variant of the coronavirus in England, prompting a global travel ban on the United States.

In addition, foreigners who have come to the UK in the past two weeks have also been barred from entering Peru. Peruvian nationals and foreigners who have been in Peru in the past two weeks must self-inspect and quarantine for 14 days.

Update on December 5, 2020:

International flights over 8 hours will resume operations on December 15, including flights to and from the following five European cities: Amsterdam, Madrid, Barcelona, ​​Paris and London.

There will be 24 to 30 flights between Peru and Europe. Passengers from Europe must take a negative molecular test 72 hours before the flight and show a signed health affidavit.

Update on December 2, 2020:

Starting today, Machu Picchu will receive 1,116 visitors every day. Now, children under 12 will be able to enter cultural institutions such as museums and archaeological sites.

Any specific question, please contact us at info@cuscolocalfriend.com

 

GENERAL COVID-19 RESTRICTION IN PERU

  • All travelers arriving in Peru must quarantine for 14 days on arrival.  This quarantine is mandatory for all foreigners, nationals or residents who enter Peru on or after January 4, 2021.  Travelers who planned to visit Peru for fewer than 14 days must complete the full quarantine and should contact their airlines to change their tickets. They may complete the quarantine in their final destination outside of Lima if the connecting flight is within 24 hours of arrival in Peru. Travelers may complete their quarantine in an Airbnb if they state the address in their affidavit and it is approved by Peruvian health officials on arrival. 
  • Is a Curfew in place? Yes. Changes to quarantine restrictions: Curfew hours have changed to 11:00 PM to 4:00 AM in the Lima metro area, Lima provinces, and Callao and 10:00 PM to 4:00 AM in Tumbes, Piura, Lambayeque, La Libertad, and the province of Santa in the Ancash region.
  • Religious services may operate at 1/3 capacity. Beaches in Tumbes, Piura, Lambayeque, La Libertad, Ancash Department, Metropolitan Lima, and Callao province are closed except for no-contact socially-distanced individual water sports such as surfing, windsurfing, and rowing.
  • Children are no longer restricted (including those under 12 years of age). However, parents/guardians must be aware of their activities and reinforce the practice of “physical and bodily distancing”. Adults and children should follow the social distancing guidelines found in the decree, online here (in Spanish): Supreme Decree No. Nº 184-2020-PCM.
  • Meeting Restrictions: All social gatherings, including those held in homes and with family, are prohibited in all of Peru.
  • The wearing of facemasks in public places is mandatory and social distancing measures must be respected.
  • Schools and other public events remain suspended. There is a limited resumption of in-person teaching at primary and secondary schools located in rural areas with limited means of communication, internet connectivity, and zero COVID-19 infections.

Airport travel updates:

  •  Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? Yes.
  • Direct flights to Peru from certain locations in the U.S. have resumed. However, travelers should check https://travel.state.gov/ for country-specific travel information before deciding to do so as country-specific regulations may change at any time.
  • Transiting to the U.S. from Peru on commercial flights: When leaving Peru, travelers ARE NOT required to have proof of a negative COVID-19 test but must have no COVID-19 symptoms. Face masks AND face shields must be worn at the airport and for the duration of the flight. 
  • Migraciones Suspending Use of Passport Stamps: The Peruvian Immigration Authority (Migraciones) announced that it has suspended the stamping of passports upon arrival to and departure from Jorge Chávez International Airport as part of ongoing efforts to minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19. If you are traveling, be aware that while your passport will not be stamped, a digital record of your arrival or departure will still be created. The measure applies to both commercial and repatriation flights and is effective immediately.

Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry? – Yes!

Is Machu Picchu closed due to Coronavirus?

No, it was closed for 8 months however, currently, Machupicchu is open and the site receives 1116 visitors every day. This number includes both guides and the general public.

The regional authorities of Cusco established a health protocol, including the aforementioned limited visitation, as well as mandatory social distancing, use of face masks is mandatory at the site, however, you can always take off for your pictures and within uncrowded spots. Touring is one-way touring so there is no criss-cross of visitors.

On the train to Machupicchu and the Shuttle Bus from Machupicchu Town to the Park, the use of face masks and face shields are mandatory.

You can read more updates on this article