Chile has been closed to international tourism since April 2021 after a second wave of Covid-19 hit the country. But after a successful vaccination campaign, the country has announced it will be reopening to international tourism once again on October 1st.
This post will look at the new entry requirements for Chile and the current Covid-19 situation.
Chile Opening For International Tourism On October 1st
On Wednesday, the government of Chile announced that they would be reopening the country to international tourism from October 1st ahead of the southern hemisphere nationâs summer season.
Jose Luis Uriarte, the tourism sub secretary, said foreign tourists were welcome provided they respected the strict self-care measures in Chile of wearing masks and social distancing.
âThis is a very important step in the reactivation and recuperation of foreign tourism, which accounts for around 40% of our income from tourism,â he said.
âThe fact that foreign tourists can come to Chile is an important step for the recovery of inbound tourism,â said Under-Secretary for Tourism José Luis Uriarte.
What Are The Entry Requirements For Chile?
Entry to Chile by air will be possible through the airports serving Iquique, Antofagasta, and Santiago de Chile.
Foreign non-residents will be able to enter provided they meet certain requirements.
Public health chief Paula Daza said that travelers will be required to show a negative PCR COVID-19 test taken up to 72 hours before entering Chile, undergo a mandatory 5-day quarantine, have medical travel insurance, and show proof of vaccination.
Additionally, travelers must submit a sworn statement through www.c19.cl and obtain a mobility pass at after validating the vaccination received.
Those who do not obtain the mobility past must remain isolated for 7 days instead of 5.
Daza warned visitors not to book their trip to Chile until their vaccination certificate was validated by the Chilean health ministry, which could take a month.
Unvaccinated tourists will not be able to enter for tourism, including children.
The strict entry requirements received backlash from The Chilean Association of Airlines (ACHILA), which has been pushing for the reopening of borders. They said that the new regulations change nothing in practice.
âConsidering the high percentage of vaccinated [people] in our country and the low level of contagion and positivity, the measures announced by the governmentâ¦continue to be [among] most restrictiveâ¦in the world.â
The group urged the government to eliminate the quarantine requirement and allow children too young to receive vaccines to be allowed to enter the county.
Covid-19 In Chile
Chile has been received international praise for its smooth and successful vaccination campaign, boasting one of the worldâs highest vaccination rates.
According to the health ministry, almost 87% of eligible Chileans are fully vaccinated, and the country has already started distributing booster shots to those who are fully vaccinated.
Chile is currently reporting between 200 and 500 new Covid-19 cases a day, with a 1% test positivity rate on Tuesday.
While the entry requirements are still strict for Chile, itâs a hopeful sign for the rebound of tourism in the country.
