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COVID-19 Information (Last updated: 12/17/2020)
Level 3 Travel Advisory for American Citizens: Reconsider travel to Chile due to COVID-19
Country-Specific Information:
- As of December 17, 2020, Chile has 578,732 confirmed cases of COVID-19 within its borders. The CDC has put in place a Level 3 warning for COVID-19 in Chile. CDC Chile Advisory
- Chile is under a daily nationwide curfew from 12:00 am to 5:00 am.
- The curfew begins at 8:00 pm in the following locations:
- Gran Concepción (Bio-Bío Region)
- The curfew begins at 22:00 pm instead of 8:00 pm in the following locations :
- Puerto Montt (X Region) Beginning Monday, December 21
- Osorno (X Region) Beginning Monday, December 21
- Magallanes Region (including Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales)
- Chile remains under a State of Emergency through March 2021
- Across Chile, travelers should be aware that any health and safety measures currently in place, including restrictions on movement and gatherings in groups, may become stricter with little notice. American citizens should exercise caution by maintaining social distancing practices, following quarantine and sanitary procedures as directed by the Chilean government (including curfew), and following all sanitary and hygiene guidelines outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to mitigate health risks.
Entry and Exit Requirements:
- Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? Yes
- All travelers (of all ages) will have to present three documents when boarding:
- A completed “Affidavit of Travelers” electronic form (available at www.c19.cl and also known as a Sanitary Passport) prepared less than 48 hours before boarding;
- Proof of a negative result from a PCR result from a test taken within 72 hours prior to departure (Note: the 72-hour time period begins from the time the test is administered- not from when the test results are returned); and
- Proof of a health insurance policy that provides coverage for Covid-19 and related health issues during the traveler’s stay in Chile. The Health Insurance must cover charges associated with COVID-19 during your stay, with a coverage of USD $ 30,000 (minimum). (All documents must be presented before boarding the flight to Chile)
- “Rapid” COVID-19 tests (for example, antigen-only tests) are not accepted for entry into Chile. The test must be a PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 (covid-19)
- Foreign residents of Chile and holders of diplomatic/official passports are exempt from the PCR and health insurance requirements
- All non-resident foreigners entering Chile will be subject to a 14-day “Period of Vigilance for Travelers.” During this period, travelers will have to report daily their location and health condition to the Health Ministry through a system that will be implemented for this purpose.
- Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry? Yes
- Are health screening procedures in place at airports and other ports of entry? Yes
- U.S. citizens should contact the Policia de Investigaciones (PDI) for information regarding the extension of tourist or resident visas.
- All foreigners entering Chile must comply with prescribed public health measures such as wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, avoiding quarantined comunas, and respecting nightly curfews.
Movement Restrictions:
- Is a curfew in place? Yes. There is a daily curfew from 12:00am to 5:00 am, nationwide. Other locations may have stricter curfews.
- Are there restrictions on intercity or interstate travel? In places where sanitary cordons are in place, travelers may be subject to temperature screenings. Travel to or from comunas in quarantine requires a permiso obtained from the Chilean police (see “Quarantine Information” below).
- Travel between regions is allowed only to and from districts in Step 3 (Preparation) or above. Travelers will only be required to carry a sanitary passport (visit https://www.c19.cl/).
Quarantine Information:
- The Chilean government has instituted a gradual re-opening plan (“Paso a Paso”) with different levels of permitted activities at each step. Neighborhoods (comunas) may move forward or backward in steps, depending on local conditions. Learn more about the Paso a Paso plan here (Spanish only)
- For comunas under quarantine, people will be allowed to obtain a permit to leave their residences only under certain circumstances. American citizens can obtain a permit by visiting the Comisaria Virtual or the nearest police station (Comisaría de Carabineros).
- The following comunas are currently at Paso 1 (Quarantine) and are subject to 24-hour quarantine:
-
- Linares (VII Region)
- Curanilahue (VIII Region)
- Arauco (VIII Region)
- Los Ángeles (VIII Region)
- Lebu (VIII Region)
- Cañete (VIII Region)
- Los Sauces (IX Region)
- Angol (IX Region)
- Curarrehue (IX Region)
- Chol Chol (IX Region)
- Lautaro (IX Region)
- Paillaco (XIV Region)
- Rio Bueno (XIV Region)
- Valdivia (XIV Region)
- Maullin (X Region)
- Ancud (X Region)
- Puerto Williams (XII Region)
- Puerto Natales (XII Region)
- The following comunas are currently at Paso 2 (Transition) and are subject to 24-hour quarantine only on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Beginning Thursday, December 10, restaurants in comunas in Paso 2 will be allowed to operate with outdoor seating only.
-
- Ovalle (IV Region)
- Quillota (V Region)
- All comunas in the Metropolitan Region (RM) of Santiago
- Linares (VII Region)
- Maule (VII Region)
- Talca (VII Region)
- Romeral (VII Region) (begins Saturday, December 19 at 5:00 am)
- San Javier (VII Region) (begins Saturday, December 19 at 5:00 am)
- Curico (VII Region) (begins Saturday, December 19 at 5:00 am)
- Teno (VII Region) (begins Saturday, December 19 at 5:00 am)
- Curico (VII Region)
- Cabrero (VIII Region)
- Yumbel (VIII Region)
- Laja (VIII Region)
- Tirua (VIII Region)
- Penco (VIII Region)
- Coronel (VIII Region)
- Lota (VIII Region)
- Florida (VIII Region)
- Negrete (VIII Region)
- Nacimiento (VIII Region)
- Tome (VIII Region)
- Concepción (VIII Region)
- Talcahuano (VIII Region)
- Hualpen (VIII Region)
- San Pedro de la Paz (VIII Region)
- Chiguayante (VIII Region)
- Hualqui (VIII Region)
- Chillan (XVI Region)
- Chillan Viejo (XVI Region)
- Lumaco (IX Region) (begins Saturday, December 19 at 5:00 am)
- Freire (IX Region) (begins Monday, December 21 at 5:00 am)
- Temuco (IX Region) (begins Monday, December 21 at 5:00 am)
- Padre Las Casas (IX Region) (begins Monday, December 21 at 5:00 am)
- Renaico (IX Region)
- Vilcun (IX Region)
- Galvarino (IX Region)
- Ercilla (IX Region)
- Loncoche (IX Region)
- Teodoro Schmidt (IX Region)
- Renaico (IX Region)
- Perquenco (IX Region)
- San Jose de la Mariquina (XIV Region)
- Los Lagos (XIV Region)
- La Union (XIV Region)
- Corral (XIV Region)
- Lanco (XIV Region)
- Queilén (X Region) (begins Monday, December 21 at 5:00 am)
- Quemchi (X Region) (begins Monday, December 21 at 5:00 am)
- Chonchi (X Region) (begins Monday, December 21 at 5:00 am)
- Muermos (X Region)
- Puerto Montt (X Region)
- Osorno (X Region)
- Quinchao (X Region)
- San Juan de la Costa (X Region)
- Purranque (X Region)
- Dalcahue (X Region)
- Quellón (X Region)
- Calbuco (X Region)
- Porvenir (XII Region)
- Punta Arenas (XII Region) (begins Thursday, December 17 at 5:00 am)
- The upgrading of the following comunas from Phase 2 (Transition) to Phase 3 (Preparation). This includes the lifting of quarantine on the weekends and holidays (begins Monday, December 21 at 5:00 am):
- Iquique (I Region)
- Santa Juana (XIII Region)
- Collipulli (IX Region)
- Toltén (X Region)
- Lango Ranco (XIV Region)
- Panguipulli (XIV Region)
- Futrono (XIV Region)
- Puqueldón (X Region)
- Castro (X Region)
- Hualaihué (X Region)
- The upgrading of the following comunas to Phase 4 (Initial Opening). This includes the opening of cinemas, theaters, and indoor dining in restaurants with limited capacity (begins Thursday, December 17 at 5:00 am):
- All comunas in the Atacama Region
- For a full list of comunas currently at Paso 3 (Preparation) and Paso 4 (Initial Opening) visit the Chilean government’s “Paso a Paso” website and click on “Situación Comunal” (Spanish only)
COVID-19 Testing:
- COVID-19 testing is available at both public and private hospitals/clinics. Anyone may request a test, whether symptomatic or not, though private hospitals and clinics may require an appointment beforehand. U.S. citizens not covered under a Chilean healthcare plan must either pay for the test through their insurance or up front.
Transportation Options:
- Are commercial flights operating? Yes. LATAM, American Airlines, and United Airlines currently have scheduled direct passenger service between Santiago and the U.S.
- Is public transportation operating? Yes
- Face masks are required on all public transportation. Obey signage regarding social distancing.
Consular Operations:
- The U.S. Embassy in Santiago is offering limited services for American citizens, including passport, notarial, and Consular Reports of Birth Abroad. Please visit our website to schedule an appointment online. If you have a need for emergency consular services, please email SantiagoUSA@state.gov.
- Only limited emergency visa services are being offered
Local Resources:
- Chilean Ministry of Health
- For medical assistance while in Chile, you may consult our list of medical resources in Chile.
- Other links: