After around two and a half years, tourists are allowed to visit the island in the South Pacific again. The first plane is expected on August 4th. But the vaccination rate is to be driven even further upwards.
Hanga Roa – Residents of Easter Island are looking forward to the reopening to tourists after around two and a half years of the corona pandemic. “People are very excited,” said a spokesman for the Chilean government’s representation on the island in the South Pacific of the German Press Agency, with a view to August 1st. “The mood is quite positive.”
However, some on the remote island are also skeptical about the possible occurrence of corona cases. Therefore, the vaccination rate to protect the population should be driven to over 80 percent. The rate is currently 76 percent. “Our work has been to let the community know that they are vaccinating for the grand opening,” the spokesman said.
Tourism as an important branch of the economy
On August 4th, the first flight with tourists on Easter Island should arrive after the opening, then there should initially be two flights a week. Tourism is one of the main industries of the Chilean island, which is famous for its huge stone statues.
According to the Chilean newspaper “La Tercera”, around 150,000 guests visit the island every year. The closure to tourists in March 2020 led to a tense situation. Almost 6000 people currently live on the island. Many had left them because of the corona pandemic and the lack of opportunities to continue their economic activities. dpa
