Peru: Health officials to ease COVID-19-related movement restrictions effective March 1 /update 26

Event

Authorities in Peru have modified the movement restrictions that had been imposed in an effort to stem the spread of COVID-19. Effective March 1, the regional 24-hour curfews will be lifted, and a new system of curfews and transport restrictions based on local health conditions in the various provinces will go into effect. In areas designated as being at extreme risk, the new curfew hours will be 2100-0400, except for on Sundays, when all residents must remain in their homes for the entire day. In those assessed as having a very high risk of transmission, curfew hours will be 2100-0400, with private vehicles being banned from the roads on Sundays. In areas at high risk, the new curfew hours are 2200-0400, and private vehicles are banned from the roads. No areas are currently designated at the moderate or low risk levels.

Effective March 1, the risk designations of specific regions are as follows:

Extreme risk:

• All of Metropolitan Lima, as well as the Barranca, Huarochiri, Huaral, and Huaura Provinces of Lima Department

• All of the Constitutional Province of Callao

• Huaraz Province, Ancash Department

• Huamanga Province, Ayacucho Department

• Canchis Province, Cusco Department

• Huancavelica and Tayacaja Provinces, Huancavelica Department

• Huanuco Province, Huanuco Department

• Chincha and Ica Provinces, Ica Department

• Chanchamayo, Chupaca, Huancayo, Satipo, and Tarma Provinces, Junin Department

• Maynas Province, Loreto Department

• Ilo Province, Moquegua Department

• Oxapampa Province, Pasco Department

• Puno Province, Puno Department

• Tacna Province, Tacna Department

Very high risk:

• Amazonas Department

• Ancash Department*

• Apurimac Department

• Arequipa Department

• Ayacucho Department*

• Cusco Department*

• Huancavelica Department*

• Huanuco Department*

• Ica Department*

• Junin Department*

• Lima Department*

• Loreto Department*

• Moquegua Department*

• Pasco Department*

• Puno Department*

• Tacna Department*

*Designates departments where certain municipalities remain under extreme risk

High risk:

• Cajamarca Department

• Lambayeque Department

• La Libertad Department

• Madre de Dios Department

• Piura Department

• San Martin Department

• Ucayali Department

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

Peru's land borders are closed to all passenger transport except that by Peruvian citizens and residents through at least Feb. 28; however, authorities may extend or reimpose this restriction in March. Cargo transport remains unaffected. While limited international flights to Peru continue, nonresident foreigners from or who have had travel layovers in Europe, Brazil, or South Africa are prohibited from entering the country.

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

Other restrictions remain in place. All international travelers entering the country must quarantine for 14 days. Residents over the age of 65 or individuals who have pre-existing 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. 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.