“MACHU PICCHU, Peru (AP) — Except workers repairing roads and signs, Peru’s majestic Incan citadel of Machu Picchu is eerily empty ahead of its reopening Sunday after seven months of closure due to the coronavirus pandemic.The long closure of Peru’s No. 1 tourist draw, which has hammered the local economy, marks the second time it has been shut down since it opened its doors to tourism in 1948. The first time was in 2010 when torrential and prolonged rains forced it to close.The stone complex built in the 15th century will receive 675 visitors a day starting Sunday, the director of Machu Picchu archaeological park, José Bastante, told The Associated Press during an exclusive visit to the near-empty ruin ahead of its reopening.“We have a limited 30% admission capacity in compliance with biosafety measures and protocols,” Bastante said while supervising final preparations to open the UNESCO World Heritage Site.The site is accustomed to receiving 3,000 tourists a day, though it recently passed regulations limiting visitors to 2,244 visitors a day to protect the ruins. Still a large number given experts belief that in the 15th century a maximum of 410 people lived in the citadel on the limits of the Andes mountains and the Amazon.Before entering, visitors will have their temperatures taken and will be required to wear masks and stand at least 2 meters apart. Groups, including a guide, cannot be larger than eight people, and children under 12 will not be allowed. To avoid crowding, visitors will travel on four circuits.Tour operators are offering packages costing $250 to visit Machu Picchu, which before the pandemic would have cost at least $750.Peru’s tourism revenues have been frozen since it decreed a general lockdown March 16 to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus. So far, 34,197 people have died from COVID-19 in the country.Machu Picchu is Peru’s tourism jewel and in 2018 drew 1.5 million visitors. The citadel was built in the 15th century as a religious sanctuary for the Incas at an altitude of 2,490 meters (8,170 feet). .elections-bpage-promo {
Report From Katie Porter Shows 1 In 5 Women Have Left Workforce Since Pandemic
71 Views0 Comments0 Likes
["Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.) is calling out how the COVID-19 pandemic and its related economic crisis have disproportionately pushed women out of the workforce. About 22% — or over 1 in 5 — women in the U.S. have l...
Trump Administration Fully Restores DACA Protections After Court Ruling
123 Views0 Comments0 Likes
["SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Trump administration said Monday that it fully restored the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program that shields hundreds of thousands of young people from deportation, complyin...
Singer Jeremih Leaves Hospital After COVID-19 Battle, Says He’s ‘Forever Grateful’
364 Views0 Comments0 Likes
["Singer Jeremih has been released from the Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago after battling COVID-19 during his stay, his family said. The 33-year-old R&B artist, whose real name is Jeremy Felton, thanked th...
Bobbie Thomas Of ‘Today’ Show Shares Heartbreaking Advice After Husband Dies At 42
48 Views0 Comments0 Likes
["“Today” show contributor Bobbie Thomas mourned Sunday that “nothing will ever be normal again” after her husband’s death, and urged people to appreciate the love they have while they can. “With all the fear, anger, ...
7 Nursing Home Residents Die From COVID-19 After Staff Attends Massive Wedding
84 Views0 Comments0 Likes
["Staff members at three Washington state nursing homes attended a massive wedding with more than 300 guests last month, and now at least seven residents at the facilities have died from COVID-19, health officials sai...
‘Monster Hunter’ Movie Pulled From Chinese Cinemas After ‘Knees’ Joke Falls Flat
96 Views0 Comments0 Likes
["“Monster Hunter,” Sony Pictures’ big-budget film based on Capcom’s long-running video game franchise, was pulled from China theaters because of a scene that Chinese audiences found offensive. The film, directed by ...
Oregon Doc’s Medical License Suspended After Boast He And His Staff Never Wear Masks
92 Views0 Comments0 Likes
["Oregon’s Medical Board voted Thursday to suspend a physician’s license indefinitely after he boasted that he and his staff have “not once” worn masks in his clinic to help stem the spread of COVID-19. The board issu...