Covid entry requirements and regulations for Peru

After over two years of strict Covid regulations to enter and move around Peru, finally at the beginning of October 2022 the Corona rules were significantly eased, making traveling to and in Peru not only simpler but also more relaxed again. And yesterday, October 26, 2022, we were all surprised to hear that finally the state of emergency is lifted.

Important Update October 27, 2022 - No more restrictions to travel to and in Peru

Today, October 27, 2022, it was made official with the publication of the Supreme Decree 130-2022-PCM in Peru's official gazette El Peruano that starting November 1, 2022, the State of Emergency in Peru is finally lifted and all (!!!) Covid entry requirements as well as all other regulations, and restrictions that were in place to avoid the spreading of Covid are repealed.

So, no more proof of a vaccination certificate or negative PCR test (even though the public is encouraged to get vaccinated), no more masks anywhere (even though the public is encouraged to wear one) and no more national provisions of any kind.

However, on ministerial level prevention and control measures to stop the spread of Covid remain in place and, if and where necessary, the Peruvian Ministry of Health will publish Ministerial Resolutions stipulating necessary measures.

So, finally, after well over two years, traveling to and in Peru is back to "normal" again.

The Covid situation in Peru until October 31, 2022

When the first Covid cases were confirmed in Peru in mid-March 2020, the government reacted with extreme measures closing all borders within a couple of days, suspending all international and national travel by air, land, sea and river, shutting down the country completely and sending everyone into lockdown, and this for months. In October 2020, these extremely extreme measures were (partly) lifted and traveling to Peru by air and in Peru by air and land was possible again. However, the Peruvian government put one of the strictest Covid regimes in Latin America in place and entering and traveling in Peru was only possible under strict and constantly changing rules which included next to many others, for example, compulsory vaccinations, mandatory masks everywhere and anytime, outlawing unvaccinated Peruvians, residents and foreigners. Only in February 2022, land borders were opened again.

While since mid-2022 the Covid regulations were increasingly handled more relaxed and most businesses didn’t strictly enforce the rules anymore, with an announcement from the Peruvian Minister of Health in September 2022 and an update of the Covid regulations some of the unpleasant and outdated Covid rules (for example, mandatory health declaration to enter Peru, mask mandates, checking of vaccine certificates to enter indoor spaces) were officially eliminated or at least eased.

However, be aware that Peru is still in a state of emergency (for now, at least until the end of October 2022) and the national health emergency was already extended until the end of November 2022. Additionally, it was announced that prevention and control measures to stop the spread of Covid remain in place until February 24, 2023. And usually every four to eight weeks, the Peruvian government updates the Covid regulations either only extending the state of emergency and the national health emergency for another month or changing entry requirements and rules for getting around the country.

Furthermore, depending on case numbers and hospital utilization, different alert levels - ranging from moderate to high to very high and extreme - with corresponding public health measures and movement restrictions - are still in place on the regional level and are re-evaluated every few weeks.

And Peru still requires that foreign visitors present a physical or digital vaccination certificate (depending on the regulations in your home country proving two or three shots against Covid) or present a negative PCR test result to enter Peru.

But be aware that regardless of the official Peruvian requirements to enter the country, to travel in Peru and to use services in Peru, the one or other airline flying you into Peru, some national airlines, a few long-distance bus companies, the one or other tour operator, ...  might still ask to see proof of three doses of a vaccine against Covid to let you use their services. If you are only vaccinated twice, a negative PCR test may be required.

So, to enjoy your stay in Peru and avoid any problems, especially with airlines flying you into Peru, with entering the country and traveling, it is recommended to be vaccinated with three doses. If you are only vaccinated twice and this is ok in your home country, we recommend getting in contact with the service providers you are planning to use (especially international and national airlines or national bus companies) to check if they are fine with your vaccination status, require a third dose or a negative PCR test.

Covid entry requirements for Peru until October 31, 2022

For international passengers on commercial flights and travelers crossing into Peru at a land border, Peru requires the following (October 12, 2022):

• Peruvians and foreign residents 12 years and older must present a vaccination certificate proving they had 3 doses of a vaccine against Covid (see Supreme Decree 118-2022-PCM, article 4.3).
• Non-resident foreigners (visitors) must present proof of being vaccinated according to the “vaccination scheme” of their home country (see Supreme Decree 118-2022-PCM, article 4.3). 
• Those not vaccinated according to the above rules can present a negative real-time COVID-19 molecular (RT-PCR) test result that is not older than 48 hours after being issued and before boarding the plane (see Supreme Decree 118-2022-PCM, article 4.3). 
• Children under the age of 12 years just have to be healthy (asymptomatic) - we highly recommend checking if the airline requests any document / test result to prove that the child is healthy (see Supreme Decree 118-2022-PCM, article 4.3). 
• If you show Covid symptoms upon arrival, you can be forced to take a Covid test and will be put into quarantine, no matter your vaccination status.
• Pre-registration on the immigration app prior to arrival (optional (!!!) and only for travelers flying into Peru)
• Since October 12, 2022 travelers do not need to fill in the Affidavit of health anymore (Ministerial Resolution 811-2022-MINSA)
• Even though not specifically mentioned in the current Covid regulations (Supreme Decree 118-2022-PCM) from September 30, 2022, but announced by the Peruvian Minister of Health on September 22, 2022, the mask mandate on domestic and international flights and indoor spaces with ventilation (which the airport should be) finally is history.

Above requirements may change at any time, so we highly recommend contacting your airline a few days before your flight to Peru.

Covid regulations when traveling in Peru until October 31, 2022

Peru surely is one of the most amazing countries to visit: breathtaking landscapes, diverse and partly untouched nature, ancient cultures with all the impressive monuments they left us, lovely and inviting people and an incomparable gastronomy.

However, Covid hit Peru hard and despite partly extreme strict measures to get the pandemic under control, many people got infected and lots died over the past two and a half years. And despite high vaccination rates, the Peruvian government stuck way too long to certain restrictions and regulations which finally were eased a bit at the beginning of October 2022.

While mostly vaccination certificates aren't checked anymore (not in supermarkets, malls, restaurants, hotels, etc.) making it possible again and enjoyable to travel to Peru even if you are unvaccinated, if you don't want to make a PCR test to enter Peru, to fly domestically and to travel completely unhindered best have at least your first and second dose of a Covid vaccine. And, even though not legally required for tourists just for Peruvian residents and even though the situation relaxed quite a bit over the past months, if you are older than 12 years, the one or other airline, restaurant, tour operator, mall, other private company, etc. might still want to see proof of three shots. 

So, if you are planning to visit Peru, here some general information about the most important regulations and some recommendations:

• It's obligatory to wear a single KN95 / FFP2 mask or double masks (a community mask (cloth) above a three-layer surgical mask) in indoor spaces without ventilation, in hospitals and health centers, and on busses (Supreme Decree 118-2022-PCM, article 4.1). 
• Wearing a mask outdoors and in indoor spaces with ventilation is optional (Supreme Decree 118-2022-PCM, article 4.1).
• In case you suffer from any respiratory symptoms, wearing a single KN95 / FFP2 mask or double masks (a community mask (cloth) above a three-layer surgical mask) is obligatory (Supreme Decree 108-2022-PCM, article 4.1).
• According to the official regulations, face shields aren't obligatory anymore.
• On national flights, resident passengers over the age of 12 years must have received 3 shots of a vaccine against Covid (foreigners just visiting aren't mentioned, but some national airlines apply the 3 shot rule to them as well). If you haven't received the 3 doses, a negative real-time COVID-19 molecular (RT-PCR) test result that is not older than 48 hours after being issued and before boarding the plane has to be presented (see Supreme Decree 108-2022-PCM, article 4.4). Children under the age of 12 years just have to be healthy (asymptomatic). Masks are obligatory.
• On intercity / interprovincial busses, resident passengers over the age of 12 years must have received 3 shots of a vaccine against Covid (foreigners just visiting aren't mentioned, but some national bus companies apply the 3 shot rule to them as well). If you haven't received the 3 doses, a negative real-time COVID-19 molecular (RT-PCR) test result that is not older than 48 hours after being issued and before boarding the bus has to be presented (see Supreme Decree 108-2022-PCM, article 4.5). Children under the age of 12 years just have to be healthy (asymptomatic). Masks are obligatory.
• Residents of Peru over the age of 18 years wanting to enter indoor spaces must permanently wear a mask and must prove that they had their first, second and third shot. (see Supreme Decree 108-2022-PCM, article 4.6) Please note: Even though not specifically mentioned in the current regulations (Supreme Decree 118-2022-IN) if the indoor space is ventilated no masks are required anymore and most of these indoor spaces do not check the vaccination certificate anymore.
• In most other places, including, for example, archaeological sites, parks, beaches, rivers, lagoons, swimming pools, sport stadiums, etc. everyone over 5 years must present their vaccination certificate proving 2 shots, everyone older than 18 years 3 shots (see Supreme Decree 108-2022-PCM, article 5). Please note: Even though not specifically mentioned in the current regulations (Supreme Decree 118-2022-IN)  most of these places do not check the vaccination certificate anymore.
• In October 2020, immigration officers at the airport stopped the stamping of passports upon arrival and departure to minimize the risk of spreading Covid-19. While travelers didn't have a physical stamp in their passport, their arrival and departure was and still is digitally recorded (see our glossary under TAM and our article "How many days did I get"). In May 2022, the stamping of passports was resumed and you get a passport stamp again.
• Follow official regulations and respect restrictions. Fines are costly.
• Respect safety and security protocols and hygiene measures in places you visit and follow the instructions of tourism professionals, guides, drivers, hotel staff, etc.
• If you need a PCR or antigen test, many hotels and other accommodation providers in Peru either offer this service at their own implemented facilities or can advise and / or coordinate an appointment with a laboratory or clinic nearby. You can as well make the test at the Jorge Chavez International Airport (be aware that PCR test results usually take between 6 and 12 hours).
• Make sure you have a good travel insurance that provides medical coverage not only for injury and illness during your travel in Peru but also for the treatment of Covid and a possible repatriation.

Stay safe and healthy!