Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Santiago (03/25/2020)-New Quarantine Measures for Santiago

U.S Embassy, Santiago, Chile

Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Santiago (25 March 2020)

Location: Chile

Event: COVID-19 Update – March 25 – New Quarantine Measures for Santiago

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:

· On March 25, the government of Chile announced a 7-day quarantine beginning at 10:00 pm on Thursday, March 26. This quarantine will affect the Santiago neighborhoods (comunas) of Santiago Centro, Independencia, Providencia, Ñuñoa, Las Condes, Vitacura, and Lo Barnechea. People will be allowed to leave their residences only under certain circumstances, including for medical reasons, basic services, public services, and others to be announced in the coming hours. The Embassy will provide further updates as soon as the information is available

· In accordance with quarantine measures, Embassy personnel will be working from home. U.S. citizens requiring emergency services should continue to contact the Consular Section via SantiagoUSA@state.gov or by calling +56 2 2330 3000

· Checkpoints for health inspections will be placed at all principal points of entry and exit to the city of Santiago. In addition to checking the health of persons entering and leaving the city, these checkpoints will be used to confirm that specific individuals who have been ordered to quarantine by medical authorities are not violating their quarantine

The following measures also remain in effect:

· 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 warning for 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