Finally, there is some light at the end of this very long tunnel. Since our last update about travel in Chile (06/18 – more than a month ago), the sanitary situation within the country has drastically and consistently improved, and there are firm indicators that support this conclusion.

As for today (07/24/21), Chile has managed to fully inoculate a striking 78,6% of the target population, i.e. more than 10 million citizens have been fully vaccinated; another three million individuals are still in the process as they have received one jab, of the 2-shot vaccine formulas.

In comparison to one month ago, when most of the country was still under quarantine and confinement, the restrictions within the country are less and less, as there are fewer new cases (currently there are roughly over 9.000 active cases in the whole country!) and because the positivity rate has drastically dropped nationwide, to less than 3%. Nationals with a proof of full vaccination (locally called as “Pase de Movilidad”) are allowed to circulate freely within the country’s different regions by plane, sea and land. More hotels are opening again for visitors, and restaurants are not empty anymore. The sanitary authorities are keen to consolidate this new and positive scenario and the classic and well-known covid-19 measurements (use of mask, frequent hand sanitation and social distancing) are still in place and are mandatory.

Chile borders will be opening again by Monday July 26 (only through Santiago airport), although with several restrictions. From then, just Chilean citizens and foreign residents will be allowed to leave; at their return there is a 10-day quarantine scheme waiting for them. All these measurements have been designed to prevent the spread of the delta variant, which was firstly detected in Chile a month ago, and so far, very few people (i.e. 30 or so cases) have been declared positive. This is a good indicator of the effectiveness of the vaccines and the protection that the overall of the population is achieving.

In spite of this partial reopening of Chile borders, the access for international visitors and travelers remains currently closed. We anticipate that these measurements and restrictions will progressively loosen up within August and early September, and eventually the country will be open for tourism late September which coincides with the official beginning of our operations for several groups and individuals. We firmly keep our travel portfolio and our commitment is to operate all our trips from October 1st 2021.

Thanks so much for your interest in our trips and for the several positive messages to our previous report. Things are really improving but we keep alert, optimistic and resolved to provide a secure and memorable experience in Chile and Patagonia. We wait for you at the remote Far South!

In friendship,

Claudio F Vidal
Co-founder
Far South Expeditions

Sources: [1],[2]