Peru: Officials modify COVID-19-related restrictions effective March 15 /update 27

Event

Authorities in Peru have modified the list of areas subject to COVID-19-related movement restrictions as of March 15. The restrictions continue to be varied based on local risk designations. Notably, under the modified list, Metropolitan Lima is no longer classified as an extreme-risk area, although the Constitutional Province of Callao, home to Lima's seaport and Jorge Chavez International Airport (LIM), remains an extreme-risk location. The modified rules also allow travelers to leave quarantine before 14 days if they test negative for COVID-19 upon arrival; Peru is also allowing increased travel from Europe. The new rules will be in place until at least March 28.

Under current directives, 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.

Effective March 15, the risk designations of specific areas are as follows:

Extreme risk:

• The Constitutional Province of Callao

• Abancay Province, Apurimac Department

• Caylloma Province, Arequipa Department

• Casma and Huaraz Provinces, Ancash Department

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

• Cajabamba and Cajamarca Provinces, Cajamarca Department

• Cusco and La Convencion Provinces, Cusco Department

• Chincha and Pisco Provinces, Ica Department

• Chanchamayo, Chupaca, and Jauja Provinces, Junin Department

• Lambayeque Province, Lambayeque Department

• Trujillo Province, La Libertad Department

• Barranca, Huaral, and Huaura Provinces, Lima Department

• Maynas Province, Loreto Department

• Tambopata Province, Madre de Dios Department

• Mariscal Nieto Province, Moquegua Department

• Tacna Province, Tacna, Department

• Coronel Portillo Province, Ucayali Department

Very high risk:

• Amazonas Department

• Ancash Department*

• Apurimac Department

• Arequipa Department*

• Ayacucho Department*

• Cajamarca Department*

• Cusco Department*

• Huancavelica Department

• Ica Department*

• Junin Department*

• Lambayeque Department*

• La Libertad Department*

• Lima Department*

• Loreto Department*

• Madre de Dios Department*

• Moquegua Department*

• Pasco Department

• Puno Department

• San Martin Department

• Tumbes Department

• Tacna Department

• Ucayali Department

*Designates departments where certain municipalities remain under extreme risk

High risk:

• Huanuco Department

• Piura 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, and high risk - a ban that currently covers the entire country.

All foreign nationals who have been in Brazil, South Africa, or the UK 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. The broader, previous ban on all commercial passenger flights from Europe is no longer in effect.

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 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 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.

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