COVID-19 Update - March 25 - U.S. Embassy in Chile

U.S Embassy, Santiago, Chile

Event: COVID-19 Update – March 25

As of March 25, the Ministry of Health has confirmed 1,142 cases of COVID-19 in Chile.

The government of Chile has implemented enhanced screening and quarantine measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Travelers should be prepared for travel restrictions to be put into effect with little or no advance notice. U.S. citizens who are considering returning to the United States are urged to work with their airlines to make travel arrangements while flights are still available.

The U.S. Embassy is aware that there still may be seats available on Delta’s last flight from Santiago to Atlanta tonight. LATAM continues scheduling flights to the U.S. Contact the airlines directly.

U.S. travelers in Chile should proactively contact airlines as both international and domestic flights are being reduced in frequency and/or canceled, and schedules and options are changing rapidly.

The government of Chile has implemented measures to limit the spread of COVID-19:

Restaurants, bars, cinemas, and malls are closed nationwide
Mandatory 14-day self-quarantine for all foreigners and Chilean citizens arriving in Chile
Daily nation-wide curfew from 10:00 pm to 5:00 am (beginning at 2:00 pm in Easter Island/Rapa Nui). If you need to travel during the curfew period, you must obtain a permit (salvoconducto) from the nearest police station
Beginning March 25, a 24-hour curfew for the city of Puerto Williams
Police and military checkpoints in the comunas of Providencia, Las Condes, and Vitacura (within the city of Santiago) to ensure compliance by Chileans and foreigners subject to mandatory self-quarantine

Effective 18 March 2020, the U.S. Embassy in Santiago has suspended routine consular services. For emergency American Citizens Services, including emergency passports, please visit our website for additional information. Note that as of March 24, the CDC has raised its travel warningfor Chile to Level 3 – Avoid Non-Essential Travel. In line with CDC guidance, citizens returning to the U.S. from Chile should stay home for 14 days upon arrival in the U.S.

Many travelers worldwide have reported unexpected flight cancellations and limited flight availability. If your travel has been disrupted, please contact your airline.

The government has implemented quarantines in Easter Island/Rapa Nui, Caleta Tortel, and Puerto Williams, as well as a sanitary barrier around the island of Chiloé, and the cities of Chillan and San Pedro de la Paz (near Concepción). Transportation to or from these areas, and public services including schools and government offices may be closed. Sanitary customs checkpoints have been implemented for people entering the following regions:

Arica y Parinacota
Tarapacá
Antofagasta
Atacama
Coquimbo
Los Lagos
Aysén
Magallanes

Visit the local government COVID-19 website for updated information.

Actions to Take: Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.

For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
Check with your airlines, cruise lines, or travel operators regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in Chile.
Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States