Chile Plans to Reopen Borders for International Tourism on October 1

Chile Plans to Reopen Borders for International Tourism on October 1

The Chilean Ministry of Health announced that as of October 1, most international visitors will be able to enter the country for tourism. Entering Chile by air will be possible through the airports serving Iquique, Antofagasta and Santiago de Chile.

“Chile is ready to welcome travelers from around the world beginning on October 1st after over a year and a half with closed borders and restrictions,” the Tourism Board said in a press statement on Sept. 16.

From Wednesday, fully vaccinated visitors will be allowed entry after serving a five-day mandatory quarantine as part of the country’s four-step opening plan.

Just as expected, entry restrictions are a bit tough. Let’s start with the most troublesome one. Both unvaccinated people including unvaccinated children are barred from entering. 

typical houses in Chile

The rest of eligible visitors must comply with a number of health requirements which include a negative Covid-19 PCR test result, proof of vaccination, a “Health Pass”, travel insurance and a seven-day quarantine instead of five in case the traveler does not bring their pass. 

In order to get the “Health Pass”, travelers must submit a sworn statement through Chile’s official website.

Public health chief Paula Daza warned visitors to refrain from booking their trips to Chile until they actually get their vaccination certificates validated by the Chilean health authority.

The process can take up to a month, she warned. 

downtown of Santiago de Chile

Chile has endured one of the world’s longest and strictest lockdowns in the world. 

The South American country closed their doors to tourists and even its nationals in the first half of 2020, when its 18.95 million people —including the capital’s 5.61 million residents— were ordered to stay home.

Since then, the country reopened for short periods of time until its last closure in April 2021 when the country wouldn’t reopen again.

Closures were extended month after month until last week when the reopening was announced ahead of the summer season in the Southern country. 

Chile has led one the most successful vaccination campaigns with almost 87% of its eligible population fully vaccinated.

The government has even started to offer booster shots to those who want them.