Many tourist sites around the world were closed due to novel coronavirus pandemic, including Machu Picchu that was shut in March. However, Peru’s best-known tourist site was opened up recently after several months, but for just a single visitor. Yes, you read that right.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site was opened up recently for a Japanese man, stranded in the country during the novel coronavirus pandemic. The man, Jesse Katayama, identified by local media as a 26-year-old from Nara, was stuck in Peru since March.
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“The first person on Earth who went to Machu Picchu since the lockdown is meeeeeee (sic),” Jesse Katayama posted on his Instagram account alongside pictures of himself at the deserted site.
Jesse bought a ticket for the tourist site just days before the country declared a health emergency.
According to a local newspaper, he had only planned to spend three days in the area. However, after the flights were cancelled and movement was restricted by authorities, he found himself stuck there for months.
However, things brightened up for him after his plight reached the local tourism authority. They agreed to give him special permission to visit the Inca city and reopened the site just for him.
“I thought that I wouldn’t be able to go, but thanks to all of you who pleaded with the mayor and the government, I was given this super special opportunity,” he wrote in Japanese on his Instagram account.
According to AFP, Jesse also spoke in a video posted on the Facebook pages of the local tourism authority in Cusco. “This is truly amazing! Thank you,” he spoke against the backdrop of the majestic mountain-top dotted with ancient ruins.
Originally, Machu Picchu was scheduled to open in July. But later, the opening date was pushed to November.
