CHILE | Easter Island, a Chilean island territory in the middle of the Pacific famous for its monumental statues, on Monday lifted the entry ban measures imposed two years ago to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

A first flight with tourists on board, most of whom had booked before the pandemic in early 2020, will land Thursday at Hanga Roa International Airport, the island's capital, the deputy told local press. tourism secretary, Veronica Kunze.

“We have to open the island, but we have to do it safely,” she said.

Before the pandemic, the island located some 3,500 km off the coast of Chile, which is home to some 7,000 permanent inhabitants, welcomed around 160,000 tourists a year carried by two daily flights.

The reopening will be done gradually. There will only be two flights per week and only people who are up to date with their vaccination schedule and who present a negative PCR test within 24 hours will be allowed to visit the island.