Chile: Authorities order mandatory quarantine for five new communes June 26 /update 20

Event

As of 22:00 (local time) on Friday, June 26, Chilean authorities imposed total quarantine orders for another five communes due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, adding to a total of 63 communes under quarantine. The communes ordered to quarantine affected from Friday include Quillota in Valparaíso region, El Monte, Talagante, and Calera de Tango in the Metropolitan region, and Graneros in the O'Higgins region. All details on what the quarantine orders imply and which other regions are affected can be found on the Chilean government's website.

Previously, Health Minister Enrique Paris announced that three communes of Antofagasta region would be placed under lockdown on Tuesday, June 23. Lockdown measures were reinstated in the communes of Antofagasta and Mejillones after being lifted on May 27 and introduced for the first time on Tocopilla from 22:00 (local time) on Tuesday. It has not been revealed how long the measures will be in place for. Under the restrictions people only can leave their homes only for essential purposes and businesses are either closed or performing scaled back operations. Public transport is also limited. 

Under the quarantine measures, members of the public may only leave their homes to access basic or essential services, including medical, or to access public services. Those doing so must have a permit.

The country's borders remain closed to foreign travelers until further notice. The restrictions do not apply to Chilean nationals, and citizens and permanent residents are also still permitted to enter the country. The closure also does not apply to cargo and associated personnel.

As of Saturday, June 27, there have been 267,766 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Chile, with 5347 associated fatalities. Further international spread of the virus is expected in the near term.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly, and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.