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, after months of uncertainty, 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 during the pandemic.
We’ll be updating the page often as things change and providing you with FAQs regarding COVID-19 and the situation in Peru.
The Latest in Peru
- As of March 1st, rules have been relaxed slightly in many regions across the country. In Cusco, for example, the curfew has been extended to 9pm.
- Machu Picchu and all major archaeological and tourist sites are now open.
- The State of Sanitary Emergency has now been extended further until September 2021. This refers to the health measures that everyone must take in the country, such as mask wearing, keeping your distance, etc.
- You must wear a face mask and face shield for all travel.
- Domestic flights are running as normal throughout Peru, except from/to Huanuco and Junin.
- Any passenger who boards a flight in an ‘Extreme’ zone must provide a negative molecular or antigen COVID-19 test that was taken within the last 72 hours. Those boarding in places that aren’t ‘Extreme’ don’t need to demonstrate a negative test.
- At this time, all ICU beds across the country are full, in both the private and public sectors. There’s also a waiting list for oxygen tank refills.
- International borders are open, but flights from Europe, South Africa, and Brazil will be suspended until further notice.
- If you have a connecting international flight in Lima, you have 16 hours maximum to board the next aeroplane. You mustn’t leave the airport. If you need more than this time, you’ll need to organize lodging beforehand and declare your plans.
- If the final destination country requires test results, Lima airport has now organized for antigen and molecular testing inside the airport. It’s recommended to arrive 4 hours before your flight.
Current Quarantine Safety Measures – Updated March 15th
The Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (MINCETUR) and the Peruvian Promotion Commission for Exports and Tourism (PROMPERU) inform all tour operators, agents of the tourism sector, and tourists that the following measures have been established for air and land transport:
- Elimination of the obligatory quarantine of 14 days for all tourists that arrive in Peru.
- Tourists may enter the country showing proof of a PCR test.
- Upon arrival in the national territory, visitors must take an antigen test, which will be taken at the Jorge Chavez Airport.
- Internal flights within Peru don’t require a molecular test beforehand. Travelers will be asked to sign a sworn declaration that states they have no symptoms of COVID-19.
These current safety measures have been in place since March 15th and will be reviewed on March 31st. Below, we take a look at the different regions depending on their current level of emergency.
Extreme:
Áncash (Huaraz & Casma), Apurímac (Abancay), Arequipa (Caylloma), Ayacucho (Huamanga, Cangallo & La Mar), Cajamarca (Cajamarca & Cajabamba), Callao (Callao), Cusco (Cusco & La Convención), Ica (Chincha & Pisco), Junín (Chanchamayo, Jauja & Chupaca), La Libertad (Trujillo), Lambayeque (Lambayeque), Lima (Barranca, Huaral & Huaura), Loreto (Maynas), Madre de Dios (Tambopata), Moquegua (Mariscal Nieto), Tacna (Tacna) & Ucayali (Coronel Portillo).
The restrictions in the extreme areas are as follows:
- Total curfew on Sundays, from 9 pm Saturday until 4 am Monday.
- Daily curfew from 9 pm to 4 am.
- Interprovincial land transportation is limited to 40%.
- Libraries, museums, archeological monuments, cultural centers and galleries, botanical gardens, zoos are open at 30% occupancy.
- Banks and financial institutions open at 30% occupancy.
- Supermarkets and pharmacies open at 40% occupancy.
- Churches are closed.
- Outdoor cultural teaching is limited to 20% occupancy.
- All gyms, casinos, and theaters are closed.
- Beaches are closed.
- Clubs and sports associations are closed.
- All stores are permitted to 20% occupancy.
- All malls and commercial centers are open with a 20% occupancy.
- All restaurants are permitted 30% occupancy both inside and outside with delivery service from 4 am to 11 pm.
- Any passengers boarding flights in an area that’s “Extreme” are required to demonstrate negative Covid-19 test results from either an antigen or molecular test, with results from within the last 72 hours.
- No gatherings in open or closed spaces.
Very High:
Amazonas (Chachapoyas, Bagua, Bongará, Condorcanqui, Luya, Rodriguez de Mendoza & Utcubamba), Áncash (Aija, Antonio Raimondi, Asunción, Bolognesi, Carhuaz, Carlos Fermin Fitzcarrald, Corongo, Huari, Huarmey, Huaylas, Mariscal Luzuriaga, Ocros, Pallasca, Pomabamba, Recuay, Santa, Sihuas & Yungay), Apurímac (Andahuaylas, Antabamba, Aymaraes, Cotabambas, Chincheros & Grau), Arequipa (Arequipa, Camaná, Caravelí, Castilla, Condesuyos, Islay & La Unión), Ayacucho (Huanca Sancos, Huanta, Lucanas, Parinacochas, Paucar del Sara Sara, Sucre, Víctor Fajardo & Vilcas Huamán), Cajamarca (Celendín, Chota, Contumaza, Cutervo, Hualgayoc, Jaén, San Ignacio, San Marcos, San Miguel, San Pablo & Santa Cruz), Cusco (Acomayo, Anta, Calca, Canas, Canchis, Chumbivilcas, Espinar, Paruro, Paucartambo, Quispicanchi & Urubamba), Huancavelica (Huancavelica, Acobamba, Angaraes, Castrovirreyna, Churcampa, Huaytará & Tayacaja), Ica (Ica, Nazca & Palpa), Junín (Huancayo, Junín, Satipo, Tarma & Yauli), La Libertad (Ascope, Bolívar, Chepén, Julcán, Otuzco, Pacasmayo, Pataz, Sánchez Carrión, Santiago de Chuco, Gran Chimú & Virú), Lambayeque (Chiclayo & Ferreñafe), Lima (Lima, Cajatambo, Canta, Cañete, Huarochirí, Oyón & Yauyos), Loreto (Alto Amazonas, Loreto, Mariscal Ramón Castilla, Requena, Ucayali, Datem del Marañón & Putumayo), Madre de Dios (Manu & Tahuamanu), Moquegua (General Sánchez Cerro e Ilo), Pasco (Pasco, Daniel Alcides Carrión & Oxapampa), Puno (Puno, Azángaro, Carabaya, Chucuito, El Collao, Huancané, Lampa, Melgar, Moho, San Antonio de Putina, San Román, Sandia & Yunguyo), San Martín (Moyobamba, Bellavista, El Dorado, Huallaga, Lamas, Mariscal Cáceres, Picota, Rioja, San Martín & Tocache), Tacna (Candarave, Jorge Basadre & Tarata), Tumbes (Tumbes, Contralmirante Villar & Zarumilla) & Ucayali (Atalaya, Padre Abad & Purús).
The restrictions in very high regions are as follows:
- All gyms, theaters, and casinos are all closed.
- All stores selling basic food products and pharmacies are permitted to 50% occupancy.
- All malls and commercial centers are permitted to 20% occupancy.
- All restaurants with inside dining are permitted to 30% occupancy, outside dining is at 40%. Delivery permitted inside curfew hours.
- Private vehicles are restricted for use on Sunday.
- Enforced curfew from 9 pm-4 am.
- Banks and Financial Institutions at 50%.
- Churches and religious institutions open at 20%.
- Libraries, museums, archeological monuments, cultural centers, galleries, botanical gardens, zoos are at 40%.
- Clubs and sports associations at 40%.
- Beaches are closed.
- Outdoor cultural teaching to 40%.
High:
Piura (all provinces) & Huánuco (all provinces).
The restrictions in high parts of the country are as follows:
- All gyms, theaters, and casinos are all to open at 30% occupancy.
- All stores selling basic food products are permitted to 50% occupancy.
- All malls and commercial centers are permitted at 40% occupancy.
- All restaurants are permitted to 50% occupancy & delivery.
- Private vehicles are restricted for use on Sunday.
- Enforced curfew from 10 pm-4 am.
- Travel is permitted in these zones with buses at 50% occupancy.
- Banks and financial institutions permitted 60% occupancy.
- Clubs & sports associations are permitted at 40% occupancy.
- Churches & religions institutions are permitted at 30% occupancy.
- Libraries, museums, archeological monuments, cultural centers, galleries, zoos, and botanical gardens are permitted at 50% occupancy.
Current Quarantine Safety Measures – Updated March 1st
These current safety measures have been in place since March 1st and will be reviewed on March 14th. Below, we take a look at the different regions depending on their current level of emergency.
Extreme:
Ancash (Huaraz), Ayacucho (Huamanga), Cusco (Canchis), Huancavelica (Huancavelica, Tayacaja), Huanuco (Huanuco), Junin (Huancayo, Tarma, Yauli, & Chanchamayo), Lima (Metro, Callao, Huaura, Barranca, Huarochirí, Huaral), Ica (Ica, Chincha), Loreto (Maynas) , Moquegua (Ilo), Puno (Puno), Pasco (Pasco), Tacna (Tacna)
The restrictions in the extreme areas are as follows:
- Total curfew on Sundays, from 9 pm Saturday until 4 am Monday.
- Daily curfew from 9 pm to 4 am.
- Interprovincial land transportation is limited to 40%.
- Libraries, museums, archeological monuments, cultural centers and galleries, botanical gardens, zoos are open at 30% occupancy.
- Banks and financial institutions open at 30% occupancy.
- Supermarkets and pharmacies open at 40% occupancy.
- Churches are closed.
- Outdoor cultural teaching is limited to 20% occupancy.
- All gyms, casinos, and theaters are closed.
- Beaches are closed.
- Clubs and sports associations are closed.
- All stores are permitted to 20% occupancy.
- All malls and commercial centers are open with a 20% occupancy.
- All restaurants are permitted 30% occupancy both inside and outside with delivery service from 4 am to 11 pm.
- Any passengers boarding flights in an area that’s “Extreme” are required to demonstrate negative Covid-19 test results from either an antigen or molecular test, with results from within the last 72 hours.
- No gatherings in open or closed spaces.
Very High:
Amazonas (all provinces), Ancash (all provinces except Huaraz), Apurímac (all provinces), Arequipa (all provinces), Ayacucho (all provinces except Huamanga), Cusco (all provinces except Canchis), Huancavelica (Castrovirreyna, Huaytara, Angaraes, Acobamba, Churcampa), Huánuco (all provinces except Huánuco), Ica (Nazca, Palpa, Pisco), Junin (Junin, Yauli, Jauja, Concepcion), Lima (Cajatambo, Canta, Cañete, Oyón, Yauyos), Moquegua (Mariscal Nieto, General Sáchez Cerro), Puno (all provinces except Puno), Tacna (Tarata, Jorge Basadre, Candarave), Tumbes (all provinces)
The restrictions in very high regions are as follows:
- All gyms, theaters, and casinos are all closed.
- All stores selling basic food products and pharmacies are permitted to 50% occupancy.
- All malls and commercial centers are permitted to 20% occupancy.
- All restaurants with inside dining are permitted to 30% occupancy, outside dining is at 40%. Delivery permitted inside curfew hours.
- Private vehicles are restricted for use on Sunday.
- Enforced curfew from 9 pm-4 am.
- Banks and Financial Institutions at 50%.
- Churches and religious institutions open at 20%.
- Libraries, museums, archeological monuments, cultural centers, galleries, botanical gardens, zoos are at 40%.
- Clubs and sports associations at 40%.
- Beaches are closed.
- Outdoor cultural teaching to 40%.
High:
Cajamarca (all provinces), La Libertad (all provinces), Lambayeque (all provinces), Madre de Dios (all provinces), Piura (all provinces), San Martin (all provinces), Ucayali (all provinces)
The restrictions in high parts of the country are as follows:
- All gyms, theaters, and casinos are all to open at 30% occupancy.
- All stores selling basic food products are permitted to 50% occupancy.
- All malls and commercial centers are permitted at 40% occupancy.
- All restaurants are permitted to 50% occupancy & delivery.
- Private vehicles are restricted for use on Sunday.
- Enforced curfew from 10 pm-4 am.
- Travel is permitted in these zones with buses at 50% occupancy.
- Banks and financial institutions permitted 60% occupancy.
- Clubs & sports associations are permitted at 40% occupancy.
- Churches & religions institutions are permitted at 30% occupancy.
- Libraries, museums, archeological monuments, cultural centers, galleries, zoos, and botanical gardens are permitted at 50% occupancy.
Pandemic Travel Preparation
If you do plan on traveling during the pandemic, the following precautions must be taken to ensure yours and others safety.
- Check all current updates from reputable sources, including WHO, CDC-Information for Travel, and the Ministry of Health in Peru.
- Ensure you always carry hand wipes and sanitizer when you travel to disinfect anything necessary along the trip.
- If you can, don’t eat on a short plane ride, as food is one of the most likely sources to be contaminated by air or other people touching it.
- If you have concerts, it’s a good idea to speak to your doctor before you leave home.
Help Reduce Your COVID-19 Risk
We all know that good hygiene and not touching others are among the top methods to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. Here are some of the best ways to help with prevention and reduce your risk.
- Social distancing – This is one of the most important ways we can help curb the spread of the virus. Stay 2 meters away from everyone else and avoid places where lots of people are gathered.
- Keep on top of hygiene – Wash your hands with soap and water as often as possible, especially before eating and if you’ve been outside. If you don’t have access to these, hand sanitizer is the next best thing.
- Avoid touching your face – Touching your face can increase the risk of contagion, especially if your hand touches your eyes, nose, or mouth.
- Face masks and protectors – Another one of the most important ways to combat the virus is to use a mask. It’s been proven that this dramatically reduces contagion levels. If you want to provide extra protection, we recommend a facial protector.
- Greetings – However much we like to handshake or hug others, we must stick to waving, just in case.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is COVID-19?
Coronavirus disease (COVID 19) is an infectious disease caused by a recently discovered coronavirus.
Most people who become ill with COVID 19 experience mild to moderate symptoms and recover without special treatment.
How does it spread?
The virus that causes COVID-19 is transmitted primarily through droplets generated when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or breathes out. These droplets are too heavy to remain in the air and fall rapidly to the ground or surfaces.
You can become infected by inhaling the virus if you’re near a person with COVID-19 or if, after touching a contaminated surface, you touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.
Is coronavirus serious?
For most people who catch the COVID-19 virus, it’s not severe. They’ll experience flu-like symptoms but likely be ok. However, a small percentage of people do suffer more seriously and unfortunately sometimes pass away. It can happen to anyone, but these are most likely people of older age or who have pre-existing health conditions.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and fatigue. Other less common symptoms that affect some patients include aches and pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell, and skin rashes or color changes on fingers or toes. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Some infected people only have very mild symptoms.
Older people and those with previous medical conditions such as high blood pressure, heart or lung problems, diabetes, or cancer are more likely to have severe conditions.
However, anyone can get COVID-19 and become seriously ill. People of any age who have a fever or cough and who are also short of breath, have chest pain or tightness, or have difficulty speaking or moving should seek medical attention immediately.
What should I do if I have symptoms of COVID-19 and when should I seek medical attention?
If you have mild symptoms, such as a mild cough or fever, you usually don’t need to seek medical attention. Stay home, isolate yourself, and monitor your symptoms. Follow the national guidelines on self-isolation.
Seek immediate medical attention if you have trouble breathing or feel chest pain or pressure.
These are the steps to take if you believe you have contracted the virus while in Peru:
- Follow local authority advice.
- Get in touch with your travel insurance provider and contact a doctor nearby.
- Make an appointment with a doctor and follow their advice.
- Make sure you call agencies, tour operators, and your insurance to postpone or cancel trips and see what can be done regarding them.
- You need to self-isolate to avoid contracting others with the virus. Stay indoors and don’t go out to public places.
- Don’t travel further until you’re fully recovered.
Is tourism safe in Peru?
Yes, the Peruvian Government on October 13 received the Safe Travels Seal from the World Travel and Tourism Council. This seal indicates that Peru has adopted the most demanding biosafety protocols in its different tourist destinations.
Is air transport enabled nationwide?
Yes Peruvians and residents can mobilize, following the measures established in the sectoral guideline for the prevention of COVID-19.
To travel by air, you must take into account these recommendations:
- You must use the mask and face shield at all times.
- When entering the air terminal, your temperature will be taken.
- Only passengers can enter the airport.
- If traveling from an extreme zone or to a country that requires a negative test, you must have one take within 72 hours of your travel date and time.
You must show up at least 4 hours before your flight if you board at the Jorge Chávez International Airport (Lima-Peru), and 2 hours in advance when boarding an aircraft at the provincial airports. Children under 14 can only travel with a parent or guardian.
You must also complete a health declaration with your personal data. The document will facilitate the location of the passenger in case they’ve been sitting near a patient with coronavirus.
See Ministerial Resolution No. 0384-2020-MTC / 01.
Is air transport enabled internationally?
Yes, you are able to fly nationally within Peru except from/to Huanuco and Junin. As far as international travel is concerned, you can travel but at the moment there are no flights from Europe, Brazil, or South Africa.
In terms of protection, passengers on international flights must comply with the following:
- Wear a mask at all times within the airport facilities. They must wear their masks and face shields during their trip on the aircraft.
- Present the negative result of a molecular test, carried out no more than 72 hours before the trip.
Exceptions to the use of protective gear:
- In an emergency and during food or drink consumption.
- During security controls or identification control (Migrations, the air operator, and PNP, among others).
In the case of detecting someone with symptoms associated with COVID-19, they won’t be allowed to travel.
- Within 72 hours prior to the trip, complete the form of “Electronic Health Affidavit, and commitment to isolate or quarantine the traveler.”
- Passengers who arrive in Peru must undergo 14 days of quarantine. After 6 days, if they present a negative molecular test, they can withgo the rest of the quarantine.
- Any passenger who provides false information in the “Electronic Health Affidavit, and commitment to isolate or quarantine the traveler” will be subject to administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions that correspond as established in current regulations.
Failure to comply with the measures by passengers on international flights may lead to the cancellation of their boarding or the rejection of entering the Peruvian state.
See Ministerial Resolution No. 0643-2020-MTC / 01
Is access to archaeological sites, museums, historical places, and protected natural areas possible?
Yes, from March 1st, archaeological sites, museums, historical places, and protected natural areas are all open to the public.
These places include the Archaeological Park of Machupicchu and the Inca Trail network.
What tourist destinations have the “Safe Travel” seal in the Cusco region?
Currently, the Cusco region has three safe tourist destinations: Cusco, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, and Machu Picchu. All of them have the “Safe Travels” seal, which means that the tourist attractions comply with the strict biosafety and hygiene protocols.
Can you visit Machu Picchu?
Yes, the archaeological complex opened again on March 1st. To enter, visitors must comply with strict security measures:
- Wear a face mask when entering and during the entire time of your visit in the Inca citadel.
- All visitors must show their affidavit of health in print or digital form on a mobile phone.
- Those who present a temperature of 38°C or more cannot enter the Inca citadel.
- Disinfection of footwear and personal equipment, as well as hand hygiene before entering the archaeological center.
- Maintain a minimum distance of 1.5 meters between each person.
- The consumption of food is not allowed during the visit.
- 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 1,116 people per day.
Can you do the Inca Trail?
No. Even though the trail did open in 2020 with strict regulations, it’s now closed again. However, with the reopening of Machu Picchu and archaeological sites around Cusco, locals are hopeful that the trail will open again soon.
What are the archaeological complexes that can be visited in Cusco?
From March 1st, you can visit the following archaeological complexes:
- Sacsayhuaman
- Pisac
- Ollantaytambo
- Chinchero
- Moray
- Pikillacta
- Tipon
What provisions must be met to visit a tourist destination?
If you want to visit tourist destinations, you must comply with the established sanitary measures and have your temperature taken at the entrance of the destination, which should not exceed 38ºC. Wash your hands and use a mask and face shield. In addition, if you have possible symptoms of COVID-19 during your visit, you must report it.
See Ministerial Resolution No. 195-2929-MINCETUR
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. If you plan to travel more than 5 hours on a bus, a negative PCR must be shown.
Remember to wear your mask and face shield 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.
Before entering the vehicle, you must provide the crew with an affidavit, duly filled out, as appropriate. Spitting and dumping waste on the vehicle is prohibited. Also, you won’t be allowed to use blankets, seat heads, and cushions in the vehicle. During the trip, avoid eating food unless necessary.
See Ministerial Resolution No. 0386-2020-MTC / 01
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.
As of 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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