COVID-19 has generated an unprecedented global economic impact, forcing various industries and sectors to paralyze for the time being: Among them is tourism in Peru.
However, the Peruvian government has designed biosafety measures that allow control of COVID-19 infections, and, at the same time, helps reactivate the economy.
At Salkantay Trekking, we understand our travelers’ concerns about the spread of the virus. So, with this article, we want to provide you with all the details you need to know to travel safely to Peru.
We’ll be updating the page often as things change and providing you with FAQs regarding COVID-19 and the situation in Peru.
Peruvian Government Directions on COVID-19
The Government of Peru announced the extension of emergency self-quarantine and movement restrictions due to COVID-19 through August 28th, 2022.
Protocol at airports and flights
- At the airport and during the flight, the use of a double mask or a mask with high filtering capacity (N95, KN95, FFP2 or KF94) is required, except for children under two years of age.
- Peruvians, resident foreigners and non-resident foreigners aged 12 or over, who enter the country, from any destination, must prove that they have applied the first and second dose of vaccination against COVID-19 in Peru or abroad, and the third dose for those over 18 years of age who reside in the country and are authorized to receive it, according to current protocol.
*Otherwise, they can present a negative molecular test with a result date of no more than 48 hours before boarding at their point of origin. Children under 12 years of age only need to be asymptomatic to board. Those people who show symptoms upon arrival in the national territory enter mandatory isolation, according to regulations on the matter.
- The National Health Authority is authorized to take diagnostic tests for COVID-19 for passengers arriving in the country, establishing complementary health measures for positive cases.
- All passengers must also complete an affidavit of health within 72 hours before traveling to Peru. Here.
- Passengers of the national air transport service over 12 years of age, residents and non-residents, can only board if they prove that they have received the first and second dose of vaccination against COVID-19 in Peru or abroad, and the third dose. over 18 years of age who reside in the country and are authorized to receive it, according to current protocol.
*In case the required doses have not been completed according to their age, they must present a negative molecular test with a result date of no more than 48 hours before boarding. Children under 12 years of age only need to be asymptomatic to board.
Interprovincial Ground Transportation
- Passengers of the interprovincial land transport service over 12 years of age, residents and non-residents, can only board if they prove that they have applied the first and second dose of vaccination against COVID-19 in Peru or abroad, and the third dose. over 18 years of age who reside in the country and are authorized to receive it, according to current protocol; or, failing that, they can present a negative molecular test with a result date no older than 48 hours before boarding. Children under 12 years of age only need to be asymptomatic to board.
- All passengers of interprovincial and urban land transport must respect the rules on the use of a mask and the other protocols.
Migratory status
- Foreigners with temporary migratory status (tourists) should take into account that since August 20th, 2021, Peruvian Immigration has begun imposing the penalty fee of S/4.40 a day, for overstaying in the country.
Enclosed spaces
- From December 10, 2021, in all provinces of Peru, adults over the age of 18 must show proof of vaccination to enter enclosed spaces (locations consisting of economic activity and/or places of worship). They may show their physical or virtual vaccination card demonstrating they have completed their COVID-19 vaccination travel (as of January 27, 2022, individuals 40 and older must have received their booster). In the case of restaurants, masks can only be removed when eating or drinking
Frequently Asked Questions COVID-19
Which vaccines are available in Peru?
AstraZeneca, Covax Facility, AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Sinopharm.
On April 4, 2021, Peru’s Ministry of Health (MINSA) announced a new national vaccine strategy aimed at vaccinating populations by district and province by age group. This plan will take effect on April 16, 2021. Foreign residents will be vaccinated. At vaccination sites, Peru’s civil registry RENIEC will assist with issuing identity documents for those who lack Peruvian identity documentation. For more information, see (in Spanish): Here
Is tourism open in Peru?
Yes, it’s operating in all destinations.
Is tourism safe in Peru?
Yes, the Peruvian Government, on October 13, 2020, received the Safe Travels Seal from the World Travel and Tourism Council. This seal indicates that Peru has adopted the highest biosafety protocols in its different tourist destinations.
Can you visit Machu Picchu?
Yes, the archaeological complex is open. To enter, visitors must comply with strict security measures:
- Wear a face mask when entering and during the entire time of your visit to the Inca citadel.
- Those who present a temperature of 38°C or more cannot enter the Inca citadel.
- Disinfection of footwear and personal equipment, and hand hygiene before entering the archaeological center, is implemented.
- Maintain a minimum distance of 1.5 meters between each person.
- The consumption of food is not allowed during the visit. But you can take a bottle of water with you.
- Visitors are prohibited from collecting or picking up archaeological or natural material, as well as touching the surfaces of archaeological walls.
The current capacity to visit the archaeological park is approximately 3,000 people per day.
Can you do the Inca Trail?
Yes. You can do both the 4 day Inca trail and 2 day Inca trail.
What are the archaeological complexes that can be visited in Cusco?
You can visit all the archeological complexes.
What provisions must be met to visit a tourist attraction?
If you want to visit tourist attractions, you must comply with the established sanitary measures and have your temperature taken at the entrance of the site, which should not exceed 38ºC. Wash your hands and use a face mask. In addition, if you have possible symptoms of COVID-19 during your visit, you must report it.
Is there interprovincial land transportation?
Yes, the regular ground transportation service of people at national and regional levels is allowed, as long as they comply with the security measures.
Remember to wear your mask before, during, and at the end of the trip. Arrive at the terminal on time, go alone, and wash your hands or disinfect yourself with alcohol gel before entering the infrastructure and before boarding the vehicle.
* KN95 masks are required. If you do not have a KN95, double masking is mandatory, with one of the masks being a surgical mask, the other can either be cloth or surgical as well.
From November 15, 2021, all passengers older than 45 years of age using commercial transportation to travel between provinces by land must present proof of vaccination to travel.
Before entering the vehicle, you must provide the crew with a health affidavit, duly filled out, as appropriate. Spitting and dumping waste on the vehicle is prohibited. During the trip, avoid eating food unless necessary.
What is the safe travel seal?
It’s a kind of go-ahead in safety and hygiene, with the aim of “restoring the confidence of travelers and reviving the tourism industry.”
The seal allows travelers to recognize establishments around the world that have adopted the “most rigorous” standardized health and hygiene protocols to avoid the spread of COVID-19.
The World Travel and Tourism Council decided not to wait for governments to define the protocols from the private sector, following the guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the recommendations of experts and universities.
Countries in Latin America with the Safe Travel Seal:
- Argentina
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Ecuador
- The Savior
- Guatemala
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Puerto Rico
- Dominican Republic
Promotional Rates for Visitors to Machu Picchu in 2021
The Ministry of Culture approved promotional rates for the entrance of national visitors, foreigners residing in the country, and citizens of the Andean Community (CAN) to the Inca city of Machu Picchu, during the year 2021.
Since January 1, 2021, the general rate for national visitors, foreigners residing in the country, and CAN citizens will be 64 soles. The rate for students of higher university and/or technical education will be 32 soles. The same amount will be paid by minors.
Presentation of a national identity document, immigration card, or valid passport is an essential requirement.
Disclaimer
Salkantay Trekking does not specialize in medical advice. All the information and answers we’ve put together regarding the coronavirus or COVID-19 are based on guidelines and details from reputable sources in Peru. We try our best to keep up to date, even if it isn’t always perfect. We use all the sources available to provide the most accurate and precise information possible.
Written by: Liv Palmer
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