Chile - Skorpios III Cruises will not operate on 20/21 season on its Kaweskar Route

Dear colleagues and friends. We inform you that Skorpios Cruises has decided that Skorpios III Ship will not operate on its traditional Kaweskar Route departing from Puerto Natales during the season October 2020-April 2021 due to the Covid19 contingency, which puts in risk their operability and air connectivity with the Magallanes Region, also considering the imminent drop in tourists arriving in the region affecting the viability of its operation as a cruise ship. It is a painful decision for those who love the adventure of traveling to places of singular beauty, but Skorpios must have the responsibility to their employees and suppliers in the region. Therefore, the reason for this decision was strongly analyzed, even though they were already prepared to start its operation applying all the corresponding protections and protocols. However, they will continue its operation with Skorpios II Ship on the Chonos Route, from the city of Puerto Montt and which they hope to start on November 7 2020, as long as the sanitary and government conditions permit. Therefore, the Chonos Route is also an opportunity for those who continue considering to travel to Patagonia in the south of Chile, in the 2020-2021 season. For this reason, they have already implemented a Protocol with Biosafety Sanitary Instructions. We also inform that the Kaweskar Route and Nomads of Patagonia Route will return in October 2021, corresponding to the 2021-2022 cruise season.

If you need any assistance please contact us. Regards, Turavion Team

Chile - Step-by-step reopening plan

Dear Clients and Friends, as a continuation of our last information letter, we would like to inform you of further positive developments in Chile in the context of the current pandemic. The Chilean government introduced a step-by-step plan in July to control the pandemic depending on the health situation in each individual area. This plan consists of 5 steps: quarantine, transition, preparation, the first opening and advanced opening, accompanied by specific restrictions during each stage. The number of infections has already been decreasing for weeks so that several districts of Santiago and other parts of Chile are now also in the second stage and quarantine is only in effect on weekends and public holidays. The Aysén region of Patagonia, as well as the lake district in Valdivia and its surroundings, have already been in stage 4 for several weeks so that in these regions tourist activities are possible to a limited extent. The positive news is also the gradual reopening from September onwards of some of the country's national parks, including the Alerce Costero National Park in the Los Ríos region, the Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia as well as the Río Simpson and Coyhaique National Reserves in the Aysén region. In addition, several European and American airlines have reactivated their flights to/from Chile or are gradually increasing their frequencies. We have prepared a list of international flights of major airlines and when flights can be expected to restart. Regarding national borders, no official date has yet been given when they will be reopened completely. However, entry into Chile is currently possible upon proof of Chilean citizenship or residence in Chile. After entry a 14-day quarantine is mandatory. The exit from Chile is possible without restrictions. In general, Chile is under a "state of emergency" for the time being until 14 September 2020, accompanied by a curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. After this date, the state of emergency could be extended, but this seems rather unlikely at this point. Currently (as of 19/08/2020) 362,440 people have already recovered and the number of active coronavirus cases in the whole of Chile is 15,869. We are preparing for the arrival of visitors in post-COVID times and want to enable them to travel safely. We are currently working on hygiene protocols that we will send you before the start of the season. Yesterday, the Chilean government together with the national tourism service Sernatur announced a new certification protocol that will be awarded to companies in the tourism industry if they comply with the relevant health protocols. We are in the process of meeting these requirements and obtaining this certificate. If you have any questions concerning Chile, please do not hesitate to write to your travelArt contact person. We continue to work in our home offices. We would like to thank you for your confidence in us and at the same time, we sincerely hope that you and your families are doing well in these difficult times worldwide. Stay healthy!

Kind regards, Your travelArt team

Could the UK be the next country to get to Costa Rica?

As of September 1st, Costa Rica will allow the entry by air of international tourists from the United States of America as long as they are residents of one of the following six states: New York New Jersey New Hampshire Vermont Maine Connecticut This is possible because the six authorized states currently have an epidemiological condition similar or lower levels of contagion than those of Costa Rica. The announced measures must be accompanied by the responsibility of the tourism business, its collaborators, and of course the tourists when applying and respecting biosecurity protocols as a fundamental step towards the reactivation of tourism in the country. Entry requirements: For people residing in the mentioned states of the United States, four requirements apply to enter Costa Rica: 1. Complete the epidemiological digital form called HEALTH PASS. 2. Perform the PCR test and obtain a negative result; The test must be taken no later than 48 hours before the flight to Costa Rica. 3. Mandatory travel insurance that covers accommodation in case of quarantine and medical expenses due to COVID. The insurance can be international or purchased from Costa Rican insurers. 4. Additionally, US passengers must demonstrate through their driver's license that they live in one of the states that are being authorized. Opening to private flights: As of September 1st, private flights from the United States will also be allowed to enter the country, due to their size and nature they have a much lower epidemiological risk. For those who come aboard private flights, the same requirements already described will apply. In case they come from an unauthorized state or country, they will be subjected to an exception mechanism to be analyzed case by case. Gradual maritime opening: Fulfilling the same entry requirements that the country demands, private yachts will also be able to enter the country from September 1st. If the passengers do not bring the negative PCR test with them, or if they set sail from a city or country not authorized until now, they will receive a quarantine health order. The marinas that will receive the private yachts Golfito, Los Sueños, Pez Vela, Banana Bay and Papagayo. We remain positive in the gradual recovery of tourism in Costa Rica and we are working hand in hand with suppliers, guides, tours, restaurants and all the people involved in providing the best experiences, to comply with all the necessary protocols and continue delivering top quality services.

Sincerely,

Horizontes Team