Ecuador: Authorities lift COVID-19-related curfews effective May 21 /update 28

Event

Effective May 21, authorities in Ecuador have lifted the temporary nightly curfews that were imposed in several provinces as part of the country's effort to combat a spike in COVID-19 activity. Other restrictions at the national level remain mostly unchanged. Authorities urge all individuals to practice social distancing. The use of facemasks in public spaces is mandatory. The national government also encourages regional officials to ban access to beaches for tourism purposes; keep gyms, sporting centers, cinemas, theaters, bars, and nightclubs closed; and limit the operating capacities of malls and restaurants to 50 percent.

Municipal authorities are still empowered to impose tighter restrictions on business operations and public movement, depending on local disease activity. Such measures could include capacity limits and restrictions on operating hours, as well as limitations on access to entertainment and recreational facilities.

In Quito, the end of the curfews is marked by the resumption of the "Hoy no Circula" regime under which the use of private vehicles is heavily regulated. Under the system, motorists may only drive their vehicles in the Ecuadorian capital during the stipulated time frame on days of the week determined by the final digit of their license plates. Effective May 21, these regulations are as follows:

• Mondays: Private vehicles with plates ending in 0, 1, 2, and 3 may not be on the roads 06:00-20:00.

• Tuesdays: Private vehicles with plates ending in 2, 3, 4, and 5 may not be on the roads 06:00-20:00.

• Wednesdays: Private vehicles with plates ending in 4, 5, 6, and 7 may not be on the roads 06:00-20:00.

• Thursdays: Private vehicles with plates ending in 6, 7, 8, and 9 may not be on the roads 06:00-20:00.

• Fridays: Private vehicles with plates ending in 8, 9, 0, and 1 may not be on the roads 06:00-23:00. No private vehicles may be on the roads 23:00-23:59.

• Saturdays: No private vehicles may be on the roads 00:01-06:00 or 23:00-23:59. Outside of these hours, all private vehicles may be on the roads.

• Sundays: No private vehicles may be on the roads 00:01-06:00. Outside of these hours, all private vehicles may be on the roads.

Other restrictions remain in place in Quito. Commercial establishments and public transport are limited to operating at 50 percent capacity, while cinemas, theaters, and auditoriums are limited to 30 percent. In Guayaquil, a nightly 22:00-05:00 ban on the use of private vehicles is in place effective May 21, with most businesses limited to operating at 30 percent capacity.

International Travel Restrictions
All passengers entering Ecuador from Brazil, including those who had a layover there, must quarantine at government-authorized hotels for 10 days upon arrival, regardless of the result of any COVID-19 tests. The following requirements are in effect for all other persons arriving by air:

• Travelers must present a negative result from a COVID-19 reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or antigen test for entry; the test must be taken at most 72 hours before arrival.

• Travelers possessing proof of having been inoculated with a full course of an approved COVID-19 vaccine may enter without a negative RT-PCR test.

• Travelers diagnosed with COVID-19, with the onset of symptoms occurring more than a month before travel and who continue to have a positive result in their RT-PCR test, may still enter Ecuador provided they do not present symptoms and provide a medical certificate confirming their good health.

• Passengers presenting COVID-19 symptoms will be subject to an antigen test upon arrival. If the test is positive, the traveler must complete a 10-day self-quarantine period. Nonresidents must complete the quarantine at a government-regulated hotel or accommodation.

• Passengers are required to complete a Traveler Health Declaration form upon arrival. To view the form, click here.

All restrictions are subject to amendment at short notice, depending on local disease activity.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements and appointments. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance.

Resources

World Health Organization (WHO)
Coronavirus Ecuador (Spanish)
Air Traveler Entry Protocols (Spanish)