US EMBASSY IN PERU WORKING TO BRING AMERICANS BACK HOME

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In efforts to contain the spread of the novel Coronavirus, the Peruvian government closed its airports since March 15th, and announced that the only exceptions allow to enter the country will be flights planning to repatriate tourists or bring back Peruvians stranded in other countries would be allowed to their nation. 

All flights were authorized to arrive directly at Lima military airport. 

"As of today, only authorized flights managed by foreign governments will arrive at Air Group No. 8 to repatriate their citizens”, The Peruvian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

After the announcement of the curfew and state of emergency, the Peruvian government has taken tough decision on COVID-19 prevention. Locals are allowed to be outside  from 6 pm to 5 am, and only one person per home is permitted to buy essentials. Local press had informed that some foreigners have been harsh to follow the state of emergency, and the police have confiscated passports to haughty tourists. 

On march 23, a charter flight operated by American Airlines departed Miami, but later the Peruvian government declined to approve permits due an alarming increase of COVID-19 cases. The flight returned back to the US.

US Emabassador Krishna R. Urs, said in an statement, “The U.S. Embassy and U.S. Department of State will not rest until we’ve worked through these issues with Peru to get our people back to the United States.” 

Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Julie Chung will travel to Peru to support the repatriation efforts.

The American embassy in Peru has taken action and has made arrangements for March 28 to take U.S. citizens from Arequipa to Lima for their onward flight back to the United States. According to the Embassy, around 1,800 citizens have been repatriated. 

The good news is that the U.S. Embassy is organizing buses for tomorrow, March 28, to bring U.S. citizens from Arequipa to Lima for their onward flight back to the United States. According to the Embassy, around 1,800 citizens have been repatriated. 

Check out a video call interview to Americans stranded in Cuzco-Peru