Entrance Protocols to Machu Picchu

The Inca citadel of Machu Picchu is the first tourist destination in Peru, as this beautiful Inca city received more than 5,000 tourists a day before the coronavirus pandemic occurred, now in the midst of the state of emergency in which we are experiencing our archaeological and natural sites they were not the exception to be closed to visitors in the face of this terrible pandemic. Now after several months of being closed, work is being done on the reactivation of tourism for local and foreign tourists.

For which the ministry of foreign trade, culture and tourism, the regional government of Cusco, and health and local authorities working on the latest details of the protocols for entering the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu to protect visitors and preserve the natural resources that they exist inside and outside the Inca city.

Below are the protocols that were announced for the visit to the Archaeological site of Machu Picchu.

1. Visits or activities in Machu Picchu will not exceed 9 people per group.
2. The safety distance of 1 meter between clients will be maintained whenever possible.
3. The use of a mask is mandatory (the client must wear their own mask).
4. The Client must carry hydroalcoholic gel before, during and after the tour in Machu Picchu.
5. All personnel involved (guide, assistants, etc.) will wear a mask during the service.
6. The delivery of printed material such as maps or brochures will be avoided.
7. The temperature and symptoms of all personnel involved in the service will be controlled. People with a temperature above 37 degrees will be returned to the health center.
8. All means of transport involved will be disinfected before and after each service and thoroughly washed every 24 hours.
9. The capacity of the means of transport will be reduced to 50% of its maximum capacity.
10. The Inca citadel will have a capacity of 40% of its total capacity, that is, the maximum income will be 897 people a day at different times.

The biosecurity protocols developed are fundamental to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Its purpose is to take care of the health of visitors, tour guides, users and workers. These regulations include hygiene and personal hygiene, the use of protective equipment, and care area regulations. The follow-up of its compliance will be in the hands of the regional and local governments, who will carry out the necessary verifications and inspections.

The tourist guide protocols of travel and tourism agencies have a complement in the Technical Document: “Guidelines for the Surveillance, Prevention and Control of the Health of workers at risk of exposure to COVID-19”, approved by Ministerial Resolution No. 448-2020-MINSA.