MACHU PICCHU, Peru (AP) – With the exception of road and sign repairs, the majestic Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in Peru is eerily empty before it reopens Sunday after seven months of closure due to the pandemic of coronavirus.
The prolonged closure of Peru’s main tourist attraction, which has hit the local economy, marks the moment it has been closed since it opened to tourism in 1948, the first time in 2010, when torrential and prolonged rains forced it to close.
The stone complex built in the 15th century will receive 675 visitors per day from Sunday, The Associated Press was told by the director of Machu Picchu Archaeological Park, José Bastante, on an exclusive excursion to the almost empty ruins before it reopened.
“We have an admission capacity limited to 30% according to biosecurity measures and protocols,” he said quite a bit while overseeing the latest arrangements to open the UNESCO World Heritage site.
The site is used to receiving 3,000 tourists per day, recently followed regulations restricting visitors to 2,244 visitors per day to protect the ruins. citadel on the edge of the Andes and the Amazon.
Before entering, visitors will be taken the temperature and must wear a mask and be separated by at least 2 meters from each other, the groups, adding a guide, may not exceed 8 and no children under 12 years of age will be allowed. Avoid overcrowding, visitors will do it on 4 routes.
Tour operators will offer packages that charge $250 to Machu Picchu, which, before the pandemic, would charge at least $750.
Peru’s tourism revenue has been frozen since it declared a general blockade on March 16 to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus and so far, another 34,197 people have died from COVID-19 in the country.
Machu Picchu is Peru’s tourist gem and has attracted 1. 5 million visitors in 2018. La citadel built in the 15th century as a devout shrine for the Incas at an altitude of 2,490 meters (8170 feet).