Machu Picchu is finally reopening to tourists on Sunday
The site will have a limited 30% admission capacity in compliance with biosafety measures.
By AP |
AP
Machu Picchu, built in the 15th century, will receive 675 visitors a day starting Sunday.
MACHU PICCHU, PERU: Except workers repairing roads and signs, Peru's majestic Incan citadel of Machu Picchu is eerily empty ahead of its reopening Sunday after seven months of closure due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The long closure of Peru's No. 1 tourist draw, which has hammered the local economy, marks the second time it has been shut down since it opened its doors to tourism in 1948. The first time was in 2010 when torrential and prolonged rains forced it to close.
The stone complex built in the 15th century will receive 675 visitors a day starting Sunday, the director of Machu Picchu archaeological park, Jose Bastante, told The Associated Press during an exclusive visit to the near-empty ruin ahead of its reopening.
"We have a limited 30% admission capacity in compliance with biosafety measures and protocols," Bastante said while supervising final preparations to open the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Maintenance workers clean the empty Machu Picchu archeological site closed to the public amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The site is accustomed to receiving 3,000 tourists a day, though it recently passed regulations limiting visitors to 2,244 visitors a day to protect the ruins. Still a large number given experts belief that in the 15th century a maximum of 410 people lived in the citadel on the limits of the Andes mountains and the Amazon.
ADVERTISEMENT
Before entering, visitors will have their temperatures taken and will be required to wear masks and stand at least 2 meters apart. Groups, including a guide, cannot be larger than eight people, and children under 12 will not be allowed. To avoid crowding, visitors will travel on four circuits.
Tour operators are offering packages costing $250 to visit Machu Picchu, which before the pandemic would have cost at least $750.
Peru's tourism revenues have been frozen since it decreed a general lockdown March 16 to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus. So far, 34,197 people have died from COVID-19 in the country.
Machu Picchu is Peru's tourism jewel and in 2018 drew 1.5 million visitors. The citadel was built in the 15th century as a religious sanctuary for the Incas at an altitude of 2,490 meters (8,170 feet).
ADVERTISEMENT
Restarting The World: Eiffel Tower, Louvre, And Other Icons Reopening In The New Normal
1/6
2020 began with the coronavirus pandemic sending the world into shutdown mode. And now having spent half the year with stay at home orders and lockdowns, the world seems to be restarting.
Restrictions have been eased, and a new normal has set it with face masks, shields, social distancing forming a part of our daily lives.
As we learn to accept a life with these revisions, some icons are reopening their doors and reminding us that not all has changed.
2020 began with the coronavirus pandemic sending the world into shutdown mode. And now having spent half the year with stay at home orders and lockdowns, the world seems to be restarting. Restriction..
Read More
Paris icon Eiffel Tower closed its gates to vistors more in Mid March as France battled the coronavirus pandemic. With more than three months to that day, the 10-tonne metal landmark is now ready to emerge from its longest closure since World War II.
In a statement on its website, the operators said that the icon will be open to the public from June 25, albeit with restrictions. There will be a limit on the number of visitos, face masks will be mandatory for all, and visits will be by stairs only and not be the elevator to ensure social distancing.
Paris icon Eiffel Tower closed its gates to vistors more in Mid March as France battled the coronavirus pandemic. With more than three months to that day, the 10-tonne metal landmark is now ready to ..
Read More
The old normal life isn't back, but you can still hike to Grand Canyon National Park, as long as you follow some restrictions. The park began limited daily access from May 29 and allowed 24-hour access along with lodging from June 5.
However, as of now existing backcountry permits will be honoured, but the park won't issue any new permits.
The old normal life isn't back, but you can still hike to Grand Canyon National Park, as long as you follow some restrictions. The park began limited daily access from May 29 and allowed 24-hour acce..
Read More
Come July and people in Paris will once again be able to admire the Mona Lisa at the Louvre.
While France has allowed museums and historic sites to reopen their doors this month, the Louvre - that has been closed since March 13 - has decided to wait till July 6 before letting art lovers in.
Online reservations will open on June 15.
Come July and people in Paris will once again be able to admire the Mona Lisa at the Louvre. While France has allowed museums and historic sites to reopen their doors this month, the Louvre - that ha..
Read More
Shanghai that began its fight against Covid-19 in January, saw life return to a sense of normal as tourists, equipped with masks, returned to Disneyland three months later. o
The park reopened its doors on May 11, providing a ray of hope to other mass entertainment venues on surviving and functioning in the pandemic.
Shanghai that began its fight against Covid-19 in January, saw life return to a sense of normal as tourists, equipped with masks, returned to Disneyland three months later. oThe park reopened its doo..
Read More
After reopening Shanghai Disneyland, the company is now working on plans to reopen its theme parks in California next month, albeit at a significantly limited capacity, and with no opportunities to hug Mickey Mouse or high-five Donald Duck for the time being.
The plans, that still require government approval, will see the resort near Los Angeles, including Disneyland and Disney California Adventure welcome visitors back beginning July 17.
Disneyland is the world's second-most visited theme park, drawing tens of thousands of visitors each day, but it closed in mid-March due to coronavirus concerns. (Text inputs: AFP)
After reopening Shanghai Disneyland, the company is now working on plans to reopen its theme parks in California next month, albeit at a significantly limited capacity, and with no opportunities to ..
