After two years, Rapa Nui reopens its doors to tourists: These are the new requirements for visiting the island

Following two years and two months of remaining closed to tourists due to the COVID-19 pandemic, officials from the National Assets Ministry, the Health Ministry, the Economy Ministry, the Public Works Ministry, the Social Development and Family Ministry and the Interior Ministry, in coordination with the local authorities, have decided to open the island’s doors to national and international tourism once more.

A series of measures will be taken to make the reopening as safe as possible, especially from a health point of view. To this end, a number of requirements must be met by all those who wish to visit Rapa Nui.

Requirements to enter the island:

• You must compete the entry form at https://ingresorapanui.interior.gob.cl/.
• You must show a negative PCR test taken no more than 24 hours before boarding.
• You must have a round-trip ticket (your stay on the island as a tourist must be no longer than 30 days).
• You must show an identity card and/or passport.
• You must have a reservation in tourist accommodation registered with the National Tourism Service (SERNATUR), https://serviciosturisticos.sernatur.cl/, or a letter of invitation written by a resident or person belonging to the Rapa Nui people, which must be processed by the Rapa Nui Provincial Presidential Delegation.

SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic test

• All people who travel to Rapa Nui by ship (boat) or airplane from Chilean territory must present a negative PCR certificate when boarding. In the case of children under six, a negative SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen detection test can be presented instead. It must be taken in a healthcare center authorized by health authorities.
• The sample for the SARS-CoV-2 PCR test, or antigen test for authorized cases, must be taken within 24 hours of scheduled boarding. 
• If a person presents a persistent positive result after having been infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the month before boarding, they can attach two positive SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic test results. The sample for one must have been taken no more than 24 hours before boarding, and the other must have been taken more than ten days, but no more than a month, before the boarding date. The first could be either a PCR or SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen detection test, and the second must be a PCR test.
• All people who enter the island by ship or airplane from outside of Chile, as a passenger or crewmember, must take a SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen detection test at the point of entry. The process of carrying out and processing said examination, and its respective control, will be undertaken by health authorities.

Mobility Pass

All people who travel to Rapa Nui by ship (boat or cruise ship) or airplane must have an up-to-date mobility pass to carry out such travel.

Traveler tracking

• All people who arrive on Rapa Nui will be subject to a traveler tracking protocol, by phone or in person, which will be carried out up to seven days after their arrival. The protocol and respective tracking will be established and regulated by the health authorities.
• All people who arrive on the island are subject to random selection by the health authorities between the first and fifth day after arrival to undergo a SARS-CoV-2 detection test determined by said authority. If the traveler does not agree to take the test or if they present a positive result, they must undertake quarantine for the following seven days in a place provided by the health authorities.

Air connection and frequency

Two weekly flights are programmed for August, on Thursdays and Saturdays. It will then be evaluated whether another flight is added for September, probably on Mondays. The majority of ticket sales during the first stage will be assigned to those passengers whose visit was left pending at the time of the island’s closure.

Hospital and Healthcare Residence

The Hanga Roa Hospital has received equipment that will allow it to expand coverage of COVID care. An oxygen tank has also been installed for respiratory patient care and protocols for the transfer of critically ill patients to the mainland have been implemented. A healthcare residence has been set up in the Hotel OTAI with a maximum capacity of 100 people.

Source: Tourism Undersecretary