Chile Latest News: Government will lift lockdown restrictions in Santiago Metropolitan Region, other towns on 8 July (Xinhua, 06.07.2021). Borders will remain closed until 30 June in bid to contain COVID-19 (US Embassy, 08.06.2021).
International Restrictions:
*Entry rules in response to coronavirus: Entry prohibited to all non-resident foreign nationals who in the last 14 days have been in the United Kingdom or any other country with community transmission of SARS-CoV-2 or cases caused by variants of concern, as determined by the World Health Organisation
Upon arrival in Chile, all travelers will have to undergo a PCR or antigen test, even when passengers can present a negative PCR test result.
Chilean authorities are currently prohibiting all non-essential overseas travel to Chileans and resident foreign nationals. There will be some exceptions that must be requested via Comisaria Virtual website.
Direct Chile-UK flights have been suspended until further notice.
From 31 March, all travelers (including Chileans, residents,s and non-resident foreign nationals) must complete a mandatory 10-day quarantine on arrival in Chile. This can be shortened 5 days once the passenger has undergone a PCR test with a negative result.
Travelers will be transferred to a ‘transitory’ hotel or hotel authorized by SEREMI (Chilean health authority), and will need to take a PCR test. They must remain there for five days. After staying at the hotel for five days and having obtained a negative PCR test result, passengers are allowed to leave the hotel to continue to their final destination.
If the PCR test result is positive, the passenger will have to remain in a ‘Residencia Sanitaria’ (quarantine hotel). All costs related to transferring, transitory hotel, quarantine hotel, and PCR test may be charged to the passenger prior to boarding the flight to Chile when filling in the ‘Pasaporte Sanitario’ or on arrival in Chile.
Check the Santiago Airport official website (in English) for further information.
Additionally, any traveler who tests positive for COVID within the first 14 days from arrival must complete a further period of 11 days in a quarantined hotel.
From 7 January 2021, all travelers (including Chileans, residents,s and non-resident foreign nationals) require a negative PCR test (rapid PCR tests will not be accepted) taken within 72-hours of boarding the flight to enter Chile. The mandatory 10-day quarantine will remain in place.
*Non-resident foreign nationals: Entry prohibited to all non-resident foreign nationals who in the last 14 days have been in the United Kingdom or any other country with community transmission of SARS-CoV-2 or cases caused by variants of concern, as determined by the World Health Organisation.
You may be allowed to enter Chile if you have a special permit or visa issued by a
Chilean Consulate. Travelers must comply with the following sanitary measures:
• negative PCR test (rapid tests are not acceptable), taken not more than 72 hours before boarding the final flight into Santiago
a declaration form
Pasaporte Sanitario, completed before entry. This will generate a QR-code by separate email, which must be shown at entry. Health authorities at Santiago Airport may require completion of a follow-up email form for 14 days from the arrival date
• health or travel insurance that covers COVID-related medical care up to a minimum of US $30,000 for the duration of your visit
since 31 December, a mandatory 10-day quarantine from arrival date.
*Chileans and resident foreign nationals:
• from 7 January 2021 a negative PCR test (rapid tests are not acceptable), taken no more than 72 hours before boarding the final flight into Santiago)
a declaration form ‘Pasaporte Sanitario’, completed before entry. This will generate a QR-code by a separate email, which must be shown at entry. Health authorities at Santiago Airport may require the completion of a follow-up email form for 14 days from the arrival date.
Please confirm additional requirements with your airline. A declaration form
Pasaporte Sanitario must be completed before entry. This will generate a QR-code by a separate email, which must be shown at entry. You should arrange to take a private test.
All passengers will be required to have their temperature taken on arrival.
For more details please contact the Chilean COVID Health-line 6003607777 option 0.
The Chilean authorities have closed all ports to cruise liners.
Internal Restrictions:
*Travel in Chile: Travellers arriving in Santiago should be aware that local authorities frequently move municipalities (comunas) back and forth through the quarantine Stages Plan (Paso a Paso). You should review the Chilean Government Paso a Paso website.
If you are traveling from or to the airport to catch a flight from or to one of the areas under quarantine or curfew, presenting your passport and boarding pass will permit you to cross any checkpoints. Use a recognized taxi service or airport transfer whose driver should have the requisite permissions.
Chilean authorities require the use of face masks in all public spaces / public transport, including the airport. You risk a significant fine for not wearing a mask in public.
From 15 July, there will be two curfew regimes depending on the public health situation and the number of vaccinated residents in each region. One curfew is from 10 pm to 5 am and the other from midnight to 5 am (regions with less than 150 active COVID-19 cases and more than 80% vaccinated residents). You should check this information with local health authorities or on the Ministry of Health website, which is updated daily. If you have a medical emergency or funeral during curfew times, you must request a permit (Salvoconducto) online .
Be aware that if you wish to travel to Magallanes Region, you might be required to provide proof of a negative PCR-test result given within 72 hours prior to travel. You should get in contact with your transport operator.
On 28 July 2020, the Chilean government introduced a five-stage plan, “Plan Paso A Paso”, for managing and explaining changes in restrictions applied in different regions.
On Wednesday 26 May 2021, the government introduced a special mobility pass (‘Pase de Movilidad’) for vaccinated residents in ‘comunas’ in ‘Cuarentena’ (Stage 1) and ‘Transition’ (Stage 2). You can request the ‘Pase de Movilidad’ on the ‘MeVacuno’ website. This will generate a QR-code after entering your personal information. This permit can only be requested 14-days after completing a full COVID-19 vaccination course in Chile (ie after the second dose for a two-dose course COVID-19 vaccine such as AstraZeneca, Pfizer, etc).
The COVID MODE Strategy should be followed in all stages and requires that you respect national/local/regional restrictions at all times: wear face masks on public transport and in: public spaces including shops and supermarkets; keep to social distancing rules; self-isolate immediately if you suspect you have been in contact with a confirmed COVID case.
From 15 July, the mobility rules and permitted numbers for gatherings will vary depending on whether you hold a mobility pass (Pase de Movilidad) and the ‘Paso a Paso’ stage of the ‘comuna’:
Stage 1: Quarantine. Mobility Pass holders: free movement only within the ‘comuna’; restricted gathering capacity on funerals, weddings and religious ceremonies; outdoor exercise activities are allowed at any time. Non-Mobility Pass holders: restricted mobility; permits required for essential activity; a maximum of two a week including one only at weekends; Evening curfew between 10pm to 5am social distancing and cordon sanitaire in place; obligatory quarantine for those over 75, except on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays between 9am to 11am for 60 minutes or between 4pm to 6pm; prohibition of movement to secondary home. Outdoor exercise activities are allowed from Monday to Friday between 5am to 9am and on weekends and bank holidays between 5am to 10am. You should review the Chilean Government Paso a Paso website.
Stage 2: Transition. Quarantine remains in place at weekends and bank holidays. Mobility Pass holders: free mobility at any time; interregional travels are allowed to any other ‘comuna’; social gatherings are allowed with maximum 10 people (all Mobility Pass holders); out/indoor exercise activities are allowed. Non-Mobility Pass holders: social gatherings of no more than five people allowed inside; Evening curfew regime depends on regional health situation , social distancing and cordon sanitaire in place and a prohibition on movement to other regions. Outdoor exercise activities are allowed from Monday to Friday at any time (except on curfew). On weekends and bank holidays between 5am to 10am. You should review the Chilean Government Paso a Paso website.
Stage 3: Preparation. Under this stage there are no mobility restrictions within the comuna; Mobility Pass holders: free movement among comunas and interregional travel is allowed; social gathering with maximum 20 people (all Mobility Pass holders); in/outdoor exercise activities are allowed at any time. Non-Mobility Pass holders: social gatherings capped at 10 people; Evening curfew regime depends on regional health situation social distancing and cordon sanitaire in place; and interregional travel is only allowed to regions in Stage 3, 4, and 5. In/Outdoor activities are allowed. You should review the Chilean Government Paso a Paso website.
Stage 4: Initial opening. A significant step that aims to re-open certain low-risk activities and to avoid crowds and physical contact. Social gatherings with no more than 40 people permitted if all are Mobility Pass holders; cinemas, theatres, restaurants, and cafes allowed to function at 25% capacity; restaurants and cafés allowed to open to the public at 25% capacity; Evening curfew regime depends on regional health situation, social distancing still required; pubs and clubs remain closed; Interregional travel is only allowed to regions in Stage 3 and 4. You should review the Chilean Government Paso a Paso website for more details.
The Government’s ‘Paso a Paso’ website outlines which phase-out stage each comuna of Chile is under the heading (‘Situación Comunal’).
In those areas under Stage 1 ‘quarantine’ you are only allowed to leave your residence under certain circumstances, including for medical reasons, basic services, and public services. If you need to leave your residence for food or medical supplies, you must get a permit from the Comisaria Virtual. Foreigners may use their passport number to access the system. The pages are only in Spanish.
You should be aware that the ‘Pase de Movilidad’ may allow you to move freely among ‘comunas’ in Stage 1 and 2 and interregional travel between ‘comunas’ in Stage 2, 3 and 4. This permit will not allow you to travel abroad.
Individuals that wish to pass the sanitary cordons must obtain a “Salvoconducto” permit
and a “Health Passport” (“pasaporte sanitario”) (under “viajeros regionales” for residents or “viajeros regionales” for foreign visitors), at least 24 hours before.
Information on the areas of Chile that have sanitary cordons is available on the Government’s ‘Plan de Acción’ .
Checkpoints for health inspections are in force at various points around Santiago and elsewhere. In addition to checking the health of persons passing through, these checkpoints will be used to confirm that specific individuals who have been ordered to quarantine by medical authorities are not violating their quarantine. You will need to get a “Health Passport” prior to travel and present it at any checkpoint.
*Public places and services: Chilean authorities require the use of face masks in all public spaces, irrespective of what stage of the quarantine phase-out a comuna is in.