After 868 days of border closures, more than 230 tourists have arrived on Rapa Nui, marking the official return of tourists to the island. This arrival was made possible by an agreement between the government and the island’s communities and authorities to ensure a safe reopening, taking into account, among other things, health, administration, connectivity, and supply.

“We are very happy that the island is starting this new stage of reopening. Most tourist services are ready to welcome visitors, maintaining appropriate hygiene protocols and with the hope of reactivating their businesses,”  said  Verónica Kunze, the Undersecretary of Tourism, extending the application deadline for Sercotec’s Recupera Turismo (Tourism Recovery). “We would also like to reiterate our invitation to all of them to apply to the Chile Apoya programmes, especially Sercotec’s Recupera Turismo (Tourism Recovery), which has extended the application deadline,” she added.

The local Health SEREMI team was bolstered to increase testing, traceability, and isolation capacity, with the number of personnel assigned to these duties increasing by 500%. The staff at Hanga Roa Hospital was increased by forty percent, and a new oxygen plant was installed to ensure adequate medical care in accordance with Covid-19.

Rapa Nui’s mayor, Pedro Edmunds, stated, “Expectations are high, people are happy and pleased to finally have their bridge open, not only to welcome guests, which is necessary for the economy, but also to have that sense of freedom to be able to leave and return from the island”

Tourists who wish to visit the island must now present a negative PCR test taken no later than 24 hours prior to boarding, and for children under the age of six, a health centre antigen test will suffice. In addition, they must have a Mobility Pass (complete vaccination schedule for Chileans and standardisation of vaccinations for foreigners) and those arriving directly from abroad must undergo an antigen test upon arrival in Rapa Nui.