What is Happening in Peru: tourism during Covid-19

Find out everything you need to know about what is going on in Peru right now and when the country will open its doors to tourism again!

Undoubtedly, Peru has become one of the key travel destinations inside South America for many tourists around the world. Only in 2019, Peru received more than 4.4 million visitors. Unfortunately, this is no longer the case due to the coronavirus outbreak in this South America gem and many other countries.

Coronavirus in Peru

The emergency state and quarantine started on March 16th, the quarantine being the longest in the world, lasting 106 days. Although not all the regions are currently in confinement, some cities of Peru remain quarantined.

On July 1st, the Peruvian health system decided to lift the quarantine, keeping targeted confinement in the most affected regions. The safety protocols are still mandatory in all Peru, such as the permanent use of masks in public areas, face shields, and the practice of social distancing.

Peru President Martín Vizcarra has announced on national television the acquisition of 650 ventilators, which they will distribute among all the regions of Peru. These mechanical artifacts are essential for the recovery of the most affected COVID-19 patients.

At the moment, Peru counts with 1,355 UCI beds and 1,850 ventilators. The government expects to raise these numbers throughout these months. The health system’s final goal is to reach 5,000 UCI beds at the end of the year or the beginning of 2021.

Peru Borders Could Open in 2020

This South American country expected to open its borders gradually in August 2020. Because of the increase of coronavirus cases, the government has taken actions to prevent the virus from spreading and the emergency state has been extended until August 31st. Meaning the Peru borders’ opening is up to evaluation. However, they want to take the initiative to reactivate local tourism as soon as possible.

Although the government has authorized commercial flights between the least affected regions by the virus, Peru’s international flights remain suspended until further notice. When Peru closed borders and airports at the beginning of quarantine, there were nearly 12,000 tourists stranded in the country, luckily most of the embassies have organized charter flights out of Peru so their citizens can return home.

Machu Picchu Closing 2020

Machu Picchu is the main thing to do in Cusco when it comes to traveling in Peru. This magnificent tourist attraction hosts more than 4,500 visitors per day during the high season. Now, this UNESCO World Heritage Site will remain closed during the emergency state in Peru.

The COVID-19 outbreak has forced the Machu Picchu to shut down for more than four months. The Peruvian government has implemented safety measures inside the country that forbids unjustified and unnecessary transit of people in some regions. Cusco, home to this impressive Inca structure, doesn’t stand too far from these actions, the Imperial City of the Incas is currently under targeted confinement until August 31st, which made impossible the reopening of Machu Picchu as was planned.

Machu Picchu Reopening Date:

The National Culture Institution had plans for the reopening of Machu Picchu on July 24th, date of its 109th anniversary, due to the increase of cases near the Urubamba region, the reactivation of this famous tourist attraction got delayed.

The safety protocols for entering Machu Picchu have been established. If the reopening happens anytime soon, they expect Machu Picchu to receive only 675 visitors per day, the permanent use of masks during the visit is mandatory, as well as maintaining social distancing, receiving temperature checks, and shoe disinfection.

Unfortunately, the whole world is facing a pandemic, and we are all living in abnormal circumstances. We, as human beings, are adapting and transitioning into a new way of living, things are changing all over the world to maintain order and the economic sustainability of our countries.

Check out the options to travel Peru by bus once borders are back open. It is never too soon to start planing your dreamed adventure!