Peru: Government updates and extends COVID-19-related restrictions through at least May 30 /update 32

Event

Authorities in Peru have updated the nation's COVID-19 restrictions and extended them through at least May 30. As a result of the change, the list of risk designations by province has been modified. Notably, Lima, the capital, and the Constitutional Province of El Callao, where Lima's airport and seaport are located, have been redesignated as high risk from their previous designation of extreme risk.

Under the country's provincial restrictions system, in areas designated as being at extreme risk for COVID-19 transmission, curfew hours are 21:00-04:00, with the exception of Sundays, when all residents must remain in their homes for the entire day. In areas at very high risk of transmission, curfew hours are 21:00-04:00 daily, including on Sundays. In areas at high risk, curfew hours are 22:00-04:00. No areas are currently designated at the moderate- or low-risk levels.

As of May 10, the risk designations of specific areas are as follows:

Extreme risk:

• Huarmey Province, Ancash Department

• Abancay, Chincheros, and Grau Provinces, Apurimac Department

• Islay Province, Arequipa Department

• Huamanga, Huanta, and La Mar Provinces, Ayacucho Department

• Hualgayoc Province, Cajamarca Department

• Anta, Canchis, and Cusco Provinces, Cusco Department

• Tayacaja Province, Huancavelica Department

• Ambo and Leoncio Prado Provinces, Huanuco Department

• Chincha Province, Ica Department

• Chanchamayo, Concepcion, Jauja, Satipo, Tarma, and Yauli Provinces, Junin Department

• Viru Province, La Libertad Department

• Chiclayo and Lambayeque Provinces, Lambayeque Department

• Tambopata Province, Madre de Dios Department

• Oxapampa Province, Pasco Department

• Melgar, Puno, San Roman, and Yunguyo Provinces, Puno Department

• Bellavista and Lamas Provinces, San Martin Department

Very high risk:

• Amazonas Department

• Ancash Department*

• Apurimac Department*

• Arequipa Department*

• Ayacucho Department*

• Cajamarca Department*

• Cusco Department*

• Huancavelica Department*

• Huanuco Department*

• Ica Department*

• Junin Department*

• La Libertad Department*

• Lambayeque Department*

• Lima Department

• Madre de Dios Department*

• Moquegua Department

• Pasco Department*

• Piura Department

• Puno Department*

• San Martin Department*

• The Constitutional Province of El Callao

• Tumbes Department

• Tacna Department

• Ucayali Department

*Designates departments where certain municipalities remain under extreme risk

High risk:

• Loreto Department

Nonexempt individuals outside their homes during curfew hours may be subject to questioning and arrest by police or military personnel.

Private vehicles are banned from traveling on public roads on Sundays in areas designated as extreme, very high, or high risk - a ban that currently covers the entire country.

All foreign nationals who have been in Brazil, India, or South Africa in the past 14 days, including for short periods during layovers, are prohibited from entering Peru. Persons with residency in Peru are exempt from this ban but will be required to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.

All businesses must adhere to government directives, such as enforcing social distancing guidelines, implementing enhanced sanitary procedures, and limiting operating capacity. Businesses' operating capacity limits vary by local risk designation.

Other restrictions remain in place. All international travelers entering the country must quarantine for 14 days unless they have a negative result from a COVID-19 antigen test taken upon arrival. Residents over the age of 65 or individuals who have preexisting medical conditions or potentially dangerous comorbidities must stay at home. Exceptions only apply when such persons are experiencing medical emergencies or require food, medicine, or financial services and have no one who can acquire such goods and services on their behalf. All gatherings, including parties and social gatherings inside private homes, are prohibited.

Officials require all persons to wear face shields that cover the eyes, nose, and mouth, and a mask covering the nose and mouth whenever they are using public transportation or flying in an aircraft. Double masking is also required to enter several indoor establishments, such as shopping centers, supermarkets, and pharmacies. All persons must also wash their hands with soap or rub disinfectant on their hands for at least 20 seconds before boarding any aircraft or public transport vehicle. Temperature checks are also mandatory, and no person with a temperature above 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit) may board any public transport vehicle or enter any airport or bus station. Travelers must sign an affidavit attesting to their health. Persons younger than 14 or older than 65 must sign an additional statement swearing they are abiding by the national quarantine measures.

Significant transport and business disruptions are ongoing. Authorities have deployed additional security personnel to assist in enforcing the measures that are in place.

Authorities could tighten, extend, ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments. Plan for queues and delays at available shopping centers.

Resources

Restrictions decree