Chile reopens its land borders with Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – On May 1, Chile reopened 22 land border crossings with Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru that were closed since March 17, 2020, as a preventive measure after the arrival of covid-19 to the country, informed the Ministry of Interior.

These border crossing points were closed for the movement of people and only open to commercial cargo. After two years, they are fully reopened given the stabilization of covid-19 cases in Chile, although with sanitary measures to be complied with mainly by non-resident foreigners.

“This Sunday, May 1, transit at the border will be normalized. Before traveling to Chile, find out about the #PlanFronteraProtegidas that establishes sanitary and migratory requirements,” stated a message on the official Twitter account of the Border Crossings Unit of the Ministry of the Interior.

For this reopening, the Chilean government implemented three alert levels. This Sunday, May 1, the borders operated under alert level 1 or low sanitary impact, so there was no restriction for travels entering or leaving the country, and the homologation of vaccines for travelers will be voluntary.

Likewise, the PCR test before travel is only recommended, but they may be randomly tested upon arrival in Chile. Those entering Chile will be required to fill out a health form, and non-resident foreigners will also be required to have health insurance to cover a possible covid-19 disease.

If a new variant of the virus appears, it will be upgraded to alert level 2, and prevention and control will be increased. All restrictions will be imposed under alert level 3, the highest alert.

Five border crossings with Argentina have been open since December 22. In November, the Santiago airport was opened, and then the terminals of Antofagasta and Iquique (north) and Punta Arenas (south).

With information from AFP