Okay, so maybe you can’t get to Peru as you planned right now. Or maybe you’re stranded here and you can’t get out of your hostal.
I know it isn’t the same, but the incredibly Museo Larco in Lima has an online exhibition that is certainly worth experiencing. I’ve been there before and the collection is nothing short of amazing.
You can check out the online exhibition here:
Museo Larco Online Exhibition
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Please feel free to leave a comment below. I love to hear what people think! If you like this, you can share this page with the links below or even subscribe so that you’ll be notified when I post again. (I don’t sell anything here, so you don’t have to worry about that.)
Author Archives: Philip
Peru and Cusco in Quarantine – Day 12
Friday, March 27, 2020
Today is a new day with everyone knowing we are now looking at (at least) a 28-day quarantine/curfew period lasting until April 12. (You can read more about the announcement here: Quarantine and Curfew Extended 13 Days in Peru.)
I’ll be updating this continually during the day as new and relevant information becomes available. Please check back regularly and be sure to click the “refresh/reload” button on your browser so updates are shown.
I was going to do an end-of-day update each evening, but since there is likely information that will be released during the day that is important to be shared quickly, I’m going to update this post during the day. For that reason, again I emphasize that you need to click the “refresh/reload” button on your browser or updates will not likely show up.
Daily Presidential Address to the Nation
A lot of the President’s comments today regard the government’s economic plans including expanding payments to Peruvians need financial assistance.
If you heard about the huge order of tests received by Spain that turned out to be defective, the Health Ministry today reported that they are purchasing from a different provider.
The Head of the National Police said that La Libertad/Trujillo leads the nation in violations of the quarantine and curfew with 7446 arrests since March 18!
Coronavirus Cases Increases to 635
55 new cases were reported by the Health Ministry today out of 846 tests performed. The good news is that only 6.5% of the tests came back positive compared the 8.5% the day before.
About 20% fewer tests were performed, though no reason was given for this. Hopefully this indicates that fewer people complained of symptoms requiring testing.
So far confirmed cases have been reported in the Lima (494), followed by the regions of Loreto (23), Piura (20), Callao (17), Arequipa (15), Lambayeque (13), Junin (12), Cusco (10), La Libertad (9), Ancash (6), Tumbes (5), Huanuco (4), Ica (3), Madre de Dios (1), San Martin (1), Cajamarca (1), and Pasco (1).
Sadly, two more deaths were reported bringing the nationwide total to 11. One was a 56-year-old man in Trujillo. The other was a 65-year-old man in Lima with a history of brain cancer.
Afternoon Update from the US Embassy
2:30 pm – 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.
Late last night, the Peruvian government approved repatriation flights through April 1, making it easier for the U.S. Embassy and airlines to place Americans on flights. The U.S. Embassy is identifying vulnerable U.S. citizens for priority flights, minimizing no-shows, and planning for operations outside Lima and Cusco.
Peruvian President Martín Vizcarra announced yesterday that quarantine measures, border closures, and a nightly curfew will continue until April 12. The U.S. Embassy recommends U.S. citizens in Peru adhere to all quarantine measures.
More than 1,200 Americans have made it home from Peru. Our team continues to work around the clock. Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemispheres Affairs Julie Chung arrived today in Peru to support these efforts.
Morning Announcement from the US Embassy
10:00 am – “Yesterday, the U.S. Embassy coordinated with the Peruvian Navy to reach stranded U.S. citizens by boat in the Amazon region so they could return home. Today, two flights will leave Lima, and one will depart from Cusco.
‘If you were contacted by the U.S. Embassy last night, please proceed to the indicated rally point. If some of your family members were not included on the manifest, we will place them on a standby list at the rally point. We are making every effort to fly families together.
‘Some charter flights have had to take off without filling every available seat, a huge frustration for all of us. We know that moving from place to place has become complex, given the extraordinary public health measures now in place. If are manifested on a flight, we urge you to do everything you can to follow the instructions and to arrive on time.
‘Unfortunately, we are unable to add people on short notice due to transportation security requirements.
Our team continues to work around the clock to assist U.S. Citizens in Peru and to make more repatriation flights available.”
Peruvian Navy Brings 60 US Citizens Out of Iquitos
Yesterday the US Embassy in Lima reported that 35 US citizens were brought from outlying areas in the jungle to Iquitos so they could join 60 others in returning home.
Peru’s Executive Branch Granted Special Powers
9:25 am – This morning, Congress granted the Executive Branch special powers to legislate on issues related to health, fiscal and tax policy, and citizen security for 45 days.
Coming Changes in the Military’s Responsbilities
8:45 am – Defense Minister Walter Martos announced today that the military will begin charging those who resist and assault (including verbal assaults) soldiers carrying out their duties under the State of Emergency. He is also meeting with government attorneys today and requesting that they be allowed to detain those charged.
He also said that the military presence in northern regions will be increased and he will recommend stricter quarantine and curfew measures in the northern provinces (including Iquitos) where lax compliance is resulting in greater transmission of COVID-19.
An formal announcement is expected on these restrictions for the north of Peru later today.
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Please feel free to leave a comment below. I love to hear what people think! If you like this, you can share this page with the links below or even subscribe so that you’ll be notified when I post again. (I don’t sell anything here, so you don’t have to worry about that.)
Quarantine and Curfew Extended 13 Days in Peru
Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra just gave his daily address to the nation in which he announced a 13-day extension of the mandatory national quarantine and curfew which includes the current border closure which should take it through April 12.
He started off by noting that there are now 580 cases of COVID-19 across the country and saying that 2,568 people were arrested yesterday alone — most were in Lima and La Libertad.
He also says that the government is evaluating restricting the current curfew hours in Loreto (Iquitos) and northern regions of the country. [Note: my Spanish is not great, but the President sounds pretty ticked off at how things are going in Loreto (Iquitos).]
Peru and Cusco in Quarantine – Day 11
Thursday, March 26, 2020
The expected extension of the quarantine and curfew was announced by the President a little while ago. You can read about it here:
Quarantine and Curfew Extended 13 Days in Peru
COVID-19 Cases Continue to Rise
100 new cases of COVID-19 across the country were announced this morning bringing the total to 580.
Confirmed cases have been reported in Lima (453), followed by the regions: Piura (20), Loreto (18), Arequipa (15), Callao (15), Lambayeque (12), Junin (11), Cusco (10), La Libertad (9), Ancash (6), Tumbes (3), Ica (3), Huanuco (2), Madre de Dios (1), San Martin (1), and Cajamarca (1).
I’ve been keeping track of the percentage of tests which are confirmed positive and that number made a significant increase. While it had been holding steady around 6%, the latest figures for yesterday show an 8.5% positive rate. While this is only a one day snapshot, hopefully it doesn’t indicate a trend.
Parts of Peru Will be Getting Increased Restrictions
Peru’s Interior Minister, Carlos Morán, told RPP Noticias that the President will announce a new curfew schedule for some regions.
“It is being evaluated to extend the restriction hours in Tumbes, Piura, Lambayeque, La Libertad and Loreto,” he said.”
Plane Sighting in Cusco!
About 11:30 this morning I spotted a plane flying across the city before turning for the normal approach to the Cusco airport. I used to not pay any attention to planes as they came and went all day long, but now they grab my attention.
Maybe this is the flight coming in to pick up US passenger to take them to Miami (via Lima).
RPP Reports that Dozens of Tourists are Ignoring the Quarantine in Cusco
RPP just reported that “dozens” of tourists are ignoring the quarantine and going out in the historical center of Cusco.
Personally, I’ve seen large groups out without masks seemingly oblivious to the quarantine. Some have been escorted back to their place of residence by police and others have not. Perhaps it would be a good idea if the police started arresting people who are deliberately ignoring the State of Emergency as they are doing in other parts of Peru.
Peruvian Executive Branch Asks for More Power to Act Quickly
The Executive Branch of the Peruvian has requested that Congress delegate to it the power to legislate on in following areas: health, fiscal and tax policy, promotion of public investment, citizen security and internal order, work and promotion of employment and education.
Health Ministry Recommends Extension of Quarantine
Early this morning, the Minister of Health, Victor Zamora, said they are recommending an extension of the quarantine. He did not give a specific time they are recommending.
The Council of Ministers is meeting now look at all the data and they “hope” to make a decision today.
Early Morning Update from the US Embassy
Three flights for U.S. citizens are scheduled to depart Peru today: a flight from Iquitos to Miami, from Lima to Miami, & from Cusco to Miami via Lima. Please do not travel to the airport until you have received notification from us with confirmed flight details.
The Peruvian Government will release their final decision today on extending the State of Emergency and mandatory quarantine. We will disseminate this final decision via email and social media once announced.
[IMPORTANT NOTE: Unless the Embassy has been informed of something new, there is no guarantee that a decision on an extension of the quarantine will be made today. Though it’s expected, the President only said yesterday that the Council of Ministers “hopes” to make a decision today based after analyzing the latest data.]
Suspension of Payments Due for Utilities Proposed
The Popular Action (Acción Popular) caucus presented a bill to Congress that proposes the suspension for two months of the collection of water, electricity, gas, landline and cellular services, during the emergency by COVID-19.
Peru and Cusco in Quarantine – Day 10
Update from the US Embassy in Lima
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2:30 pm – “We want you to know that we are making progress.
‘Today close to 300 more U.S. citizens departed Peru on two flights from Lima and Cusco. We have now repatriated close to 1,000 U.S. citizens. We know we are not finished and we will continue our efforts until we repatriate all U.S. citizens seeking to return home.”
Possible Announcement on Quarantine Extension Tomorrow
President Vizcarra said this afternoon that the government hopes to make an announcement tomorrow as to whether the current state of emergency will be extended. He didn’t elaborate except to say that the Council of Ministers will look at everything and hope to make a decision rather than wait.
In other words, stayed tuned!
Big Jump in Number of COVID-19 cases
The Health Ministry announced that the number of new cases increased by 64 to bring the total in Peru to 480.
Confirmed cases have been reported in the capital city of Lima (369), followed by the regions of Piura (19), Loreto (18), Lambayeque (12), Junin (11), Arequipa (10), Callao (10), Cusco (10), La Libertad (6), Ancash (5), Tumbes (3), Huanuco (2), Ica (2), Madre de Dios (1), San Martin (1), and Cajamarca (1).
There have been none deaths and 7,560 samples have tested negative for COVID-19. That’s almost 1000 new negative test results.
Latest Update from the US Embassy in Lima
10:30 am – The Embassy posted this update:
Senior U.S. officials maintained constant communication with the Government of Peru throughout March 24 to secure permissions for flights to land on March 25 to repatriate U.S. citizens. At 11:15PM on March 24, the U.S. Embassy received final permission for the landing of a Lima-Miami flight and a Cusco-Lima-Miami. Manifested passengers received instructions via email less than ten minutes after the flights were approved. We continue to engage at the highest level to ensure that repatriation flights continue so that we can get our U.S. citizens home to their families and friends.
We understand the quarantine makes movements to the airport difficult. The U.S. Embassy continues to negotiate those details with the Peruvian government and local authorities so that U.S. Citizens have safe and unhindered passage to the airports.
For Assistance:
U.S. Embassy Lima, Peru
Avenida La Encalada cdra. 17 s/n
Surco, Lima 33
+51-1-618-2000
LimaACS@state.gov
https://pe.usembassy.gov
State Department – Consular Affairs
+1-888-407-4747 or +1-202-501-4444
Peru Country Information
To receive alerts, enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). Need help? Email: CASTEP@state.gov.
Health Ministry to Increase Number of More Reliable Tests
Back on March 19, Peruvian President Vizcarra announced that the country was purchasing 1.6 million tests as the amount testing at that time was “not enough.”
That number included 200,000 molecular test kits which are considered more reliable. Today the Health Minister Victor Zamora said that number has been increased to 300,000.
“Rest assured that we will continue to use molecular testing as the first-line method. The others (rapid tests) are part of our arsenal used in an extremely high volatility situation like the one we are experiencing,” Zamora said.
My Wednesday Morning Thoughts from Cusco
Things here have been quite calm throughout the quarantine. People seem to be going about their daily lives as bet they can under the circumstances.
I’ve heard reports about issues with tourists who are not complying with the rules of the quarantine and curfew. There have been some arrests reported which doesn’t surprise me at all.
From my handful of interactions with the police, they seem to be patient with tourists to a point, but when that patient runs out their first responsibility is to their country. Tourists should remember that they are not at home and they are guests of Peru.
The streets are quiet with only a handful of cars and buses running. Almost everyone is wearing face masks when they are outside which are being required to enter many of the markets and supermarkets.
It’s amazing to catch myself walking down the middle of streets that before were major thoroughfares simply because there is no longer any real traffic. I’ve seen people stopping and talking in the middle of these same avenues — from a distance, of course! — as if they’re in the park.
About the only inconvenience for me — and it is a very minor one — is the lack of laundries open. There is one near Mercado San Blas on Lucrepata that is open, though they appear to be hiding from the police. They are charging customers 2-3 times normal prices and just laughed when I mentioned it. I had a problem with this particular place trying to cheat me out of extra money before so I stopped using them. There are honest lavanderias in town and I don’t need to support one who isn’t.
I hope everyone is doing as well as can be expected under these challenging circumstances. Please comment and let me know how you’re doing and how you’re handling the situation. (You can also subscribe to be notified when I make regular updates.)
Making Up Blame is a Bad Look for Stranded US Tourists
There is a Politico article that is being tossed around on some of the “Stranded in Peru” Facebook groups that is being used by apparently the uneducated to blame the Peruvian government for their inability to return home.
I reached my limit with this and responded with this post on one of the groups:
“Come on folks! This article is getting passed around all over the internet and people are using it as a reason to blame everything on Peru.
March 24, 2020
What is their source — a single (one!) unnamed “US official”. Anyone who know even the most basics of journalism 101 knows you get multiple confirmations from multiple sources.
And they also quote a named, on the record Peruvian source that disputes that. No one seems to mention that part of the article, do they?
Stop acting like your watching Fox News and looking for someone to blame without evidence.
Whatever happened to critical thinking skills…”
While it may be true, there is nothing in the article than indicates anything is Peru’s fault.
Apply a little logic here — what would be Peru’s reason for this? Hmmm, let’s piss off the US government and promote a ton of bad publicity because you want to get your own citizens flown back for free.
Of course, this whole claim by that unnamed official somehow ignored the fact that the Peruvian government had already allocated about $3 million to bring it’s citizens home and is paying for flights back from all over the world.
That part was somehow left out.
Whatever happened to critical thinking skills…
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Something else that was posted today was a video in which the poster claimed it showed that a tourist was “stuffed” in a police car. He used this to attack both the Peruvian police and military and said the US Embassy the State Department should be made aware that civil rights were being denied here.
First of all, the suspension of some rights was announced nine days ago directly by the President of Peru when he decreed the current State of Emergency across the country. I’m pretty sure that the US Embassy and the State Department didn’t miss something like this. In fact, pretty much everyone who bothered to pay minimal attention knew this.
Except for him.
He also admitted that he had no idea who was in the video. He didn’t know if the person getting in the back of the car — obviously not “stuffed” — was a tourist or not. For all he knew, the person was a elderly, disabled woman getting a ride home from the grocery store.
Huh? He admitted he lied just to go on the attack of things of which he was totally ignorant.
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I know the difficulty of getting information in a challenging time is incredibly frustrating when you just want to go home. However, I fail to see the purpose of trying to place blame on someone when you have no evidence if it’s really their fault.
I know that’s how things have gotten in the US the past few years, but I wouldn’t suggest making yourself look really bad by doing it. Stop, think about what you’re doing and saying, and keep trying to do the right thing. Blaming Peru for the effects of COVID-19 that are out of their control is a bad look.
Peru and Cusco in Quarantine – Day 9
Tuesday, March 24, 202 — Peru’s President Martin Vizcarra gave his daily press briefing this afternoon and shared some good news as the number new cases of COVID-19 in Peru is continuing to decrease.
Yesterday the number was 395, an increase of 32 from the day before. Today he said the latest total was 416 meaning there were only 21 new cases. While two days certainly don’t mean much, it is, nonetheless, something good to hang on to.
Confirmed cases have been reported in Lima (322), followed by the regions: Piura (19), Loreto (16), Junin (10), Arequipa (9), Callao (8), Lambayeque (8), Cusco (6), La Libertad (5), Ancash (4), Tumbes (3), Huanuco (2), Ica (2), Madre de Dios (1), and San Martin (1).
So far there have been seven death across the country. An additional 6,597 samples have tested negative for COVID-19.
The northern region of Tumbes which borders Ecuador is now reporting It’s first 3 cases. President Vizcarra noted that this coincides with reports of a lack of compliance with the quarantine by many people in the region.
Environment Minister Fabiola Muñoz said that the government will not hesitate to use even stricter measures to control spread of the virus. Several processions were carried out in multiple regions across the country in defiance of the mandatory quarantine.
“As a government, we are making every effort to control the situation in two weeks. However, we have also been very clear: people have to stay at home,” she said.
New Health Minister Victor Zamora has assembled a team of experts and researchers “to evaluate the factors to be considered in determining whether to extend the quarantine period.
He said that data is being analyzed by experts from health and other fields. “However, we have collected opinions from other experts, and they suggest that we should include the effectiveness of our social distancing measures as well as climatic factors. All these elements are being considered to make such an important decision,” according to Mr. Zamora.
Please feel free to leave a comment below. I love to hear what people think! If you like this, you can share this page with the links below or even subscribe so that you’ll be notified when I post again. (I don’t sell anything here, so you don’t have to worry about that.)
Surviving the Peru Quarantine — My Latin Music Playlist!
I’ve been working on a post about the situation here in Cusco for over a week now and can’t seem to make myself finish it. So I’ll post something a little different to get me started posting again: My Latin Music Playlist (with YouTube live versions of most to help you enjoy)!
For most of my adult life, I’ve enjoyed “world” music and in the last 20 years or so I’ve focused on Latin music.
Here are some songs that I listen to a lot here. Latin music is certainly not the only music I enjoy. My tastes are very eclectic and range from AC/DC (cranked up loud, of course) to 80’s pop to classic rock to classical/soundtrack tunes, but I love to listen these tunes and they are all played almost daily on my iPhone!
Please let me know what you think with a comment at the end. I especially would love to hear any new suggestions for songs I might like! With all the challenges the world is facing, I thought something light and positive would help us all get through each day a little better.
Note: These are not in any order (except the last one). Just enjoy each as they come!
Enanitos Verdes – Tu Carcel (Live in Mexico)
Despite being recorded 16 years ago, this song by a fantastic Argentinian band is still very, very popular. I hear it all the time while walking in the mall, coming from people’s cars, from speakers that so many stores place at their entrance to get customers’ attention, etc.
Banda Calypso – Ainda Te Amo
I first heard this Brazilian Band about 2 am on Christmas morning in a little hut on the edge of Belen in Iquitos around 2006. If you don’t know, Christmas celebrations in Peru start at midnight and go until morning (or later!). I was invited to a friend’s house where we ate a great middle of the night turkey dinner with wine before turning on the TV and dancing to their pirate DVD of Banda Calypso’s live performances.
Even years later, this song still gives me chills and it’s hard to sit still. I remember a bunch of little kids gathered outside to watch the gringo dance the night away in a place where gringos generally don’t go!
Laura Pausini – Quiero Decirte Que Te Amo
I don’t know where I first heard Laura Pausini, but I immediately fell in love with her voice. If you haven’t heard her before, you really should listen. She has a ton of beautiful songs, but this one is my favorite right now.
David Bisbal – Amar es Lo Que Quiero
I started listening to David Bisbal many, many years ago. He has several song I really like, but this one is definitely my favorite.
Maná – Corazon Espinado
If you grow up in the Southwest US and you don’t know this Maná, then you must be living in a cave. They were the first Mexican band that showed me there was more south of the Rio Grande than mariachis!
It’s hard to pick a favorite song of theirs because there are so many, but this duet with the legendary Carlos Santana tops them all.
Yahir – Te Amaré
This is still my favorite “sing along” tune in the shower. The studio version is better, but this live performance is still pretty good. His recording of “La Locura” is another of my all-time favorites.
Dom Omar – Danza Kuduro
I looked all over to find a really good live version of this song.
Turn up the music LOUD. Don’t know the words? Who cares! I dare you to sit still while listening to this!
Nicky Jam and Enrique Iglesias – El Perdon
I couldn’t find a live version of this with both singers, but the studio version is awesome. Four years ago you couldn’t go anywhere in Peru without hearing this song. I remember it was immensely popular in Iquitos — especially the barrios where the tourists don’t go!
Banda Calypso – Perdeu O Trono
One more Banda Calypso song. It’s a shame they split up. (The lead singer and guitarist were married, but have since divorced.) Though they are still immensely popular in Brazil and the rest of the continent, songs like this always made me think they could have been even bigger outside South America.
Ricardo Arjona – Porque es Tan Cruel el Amor
This another one that I couldn’t find a decent live version, but the original sounds just fine. I used to listen to this when i was in Mexico a long time ago so it brings back a lot of bittersweet memories.
Mocedades – Eres Tú
I saved the best for last. This song is perhaps the best example of Latin music that transcends language and culture. You don’t have to know the words to sing along. Is there another that is so well known and so well loved all over the world?
Can you believe this was first recorded 47 years ago? This live version still touches me in a way that I can’t put into words. Watch the video and you’ll see that I’m not alone.
Please feel free to leave a comment below. I love to hear what people think! If you like this, you can share this page with the links below or even subscribe so that you’ll be notified when I post again. (I don’t sell anything here, so you don’t have to worry about that.)
Peru Adds Curfew Hours
Peru’s President Vizcarra just announced that a curfew will be imposed over the entire country beginning tonight at 8 pm and continuing until 5 am each night.
The number of infected persons has increased to 145 and the government says that many of the new cases are attributed to young people going out at night instead of respecting the national emergency.
“This obliges us to take (further) measures; the one that we are decreeing —starting today— is the curfew from 8:00 at night until 5:00 in the morning. It is a Supreme Decree that establishes this measure. Starting tonight, nobody can circulate until tomorrow,” said President Vizcarra.
“Most (people) are at home, but others are not (…) the Armed Forces and the National Police of Peru will be in charge of the strict compliance with this measure, which will be valid not only in Lima, but also at the national level,” he added.
Possible Hope for Tourists Stranded in Peru?
4:12 pm UPDATE: It’s now being reported here that the Peruvian government has, in fact, passed a decree to help tourists.
Here the link (in English) to all I’ve found so far:
Peru President: Govt approves decree to help stranded passengers after border closure
Details are hard to find, but reports of upcoming flights from Lima are starting to appear. I recommend contacting your Embassy ASAP to get help. Hopefully you reported your presence in the country already and they are reaching out to you.
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About 2 hours ago the British Embassy in Lima put out this notice on their Facebook page:
They also wrote:
“The Peruvian Tourism Ministry is consolidating information on tourists who have not managed to leave the country. We recommend you to fill the form here, which is written in English and Spanish, here http://bit.ly/2QnLWkW .”
Obviously, I have no way of knowing what will happen or if this applies to more than UK citizens, but it appears that the Peruvian government may be considering ways to help stranded foreign tourists return to their home countries.
I have talked to quite a few people caught up in the quarantine unexpectedly and this might provide some relief.