Ecuador
Travel restrictions
Ecuador approved resumption of commercial flight operations beginning June 1st, 2020, with limited flight capacity.
As of March 22nd 2021, upon entry to Ecuador, all travelers must provide:
- Proof of a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR or rapid antigen test taken no more than three days before entering Ecuador, or;
- Present a COVID-19 vaccination card showing the traveler received a complete series of the COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to entering Ecuador.
As an alternative to the above entry requirements, travelers entering Ecuador who were previously diagnosed as COVID-19 positive may present a medical certificate from their country of origin attesting to their recovery and current good health, as long as onset of the COVID-19 symptoms occurred more than 30 days prior to arrival in Ecuador.
As of July 12th, 2021, the Government of Ecuador no longer accepts rapid antigen tests for entry. The only test accepted is the RT-PCR test.
Regardless of whether a negative COVID PCR test is provided, random rapid antigen testing may be conducted at the airport and upon arrival. The testing will be administered by the Ministry of Health. If the rapid antigen test is positive, the traveler must isolate for 10 days. The isolation will take place at a shelter designated by the Ministry of Health. As of January 11th, 2021, it is no longer permissible to perform the isolation at a private residency or hotel. If the rapid antigen test is negative, no isolation is required.
Beginning September 1st 2021, any international traveler wishing to transit through Quito or Guayaquil International Airport en route to the Galapagos Islands should first arrive in country with proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken in the last three days or?a COVID-19 vaccination card showing the traveler received a complete series of the COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days before entering Ecuador?(as per instructions above).
To enter the Galapagos Islands, all foreign travelers age 16 and older who are not residents of Ecuador must present a negative RT-PCR test taken a maximum of 72 hours prior to travel (counting from the time the sample was taken), AND present a vaccination card showing the traveler received a complete series of the COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to travel.
All travelers to the Galapagos Islands also need a “transit control card” issued by the Government of Galapagos.
Measures taken by the government
On June 15th 2020, President Moreno renewed the state of emergency for a further 60 days. It will now remain in force until August 15th. On August 14th 2020, President Moreno extended the state of emergency through September 15th, 2020. This includes general nationwide measures such as self-isolation advised for people 60 years old and older & mandatory use of face masks in public spaces.
The Government of Ecuador lifted movement restrictions throughout the country, but some provinces maintain local restrictions on movement.
On December 11th, 2020, the health emergency was extended until March 14th, 2021.
On January 2nd, 2021, Ecuador’s Constitutional Court concluded that the nationwide state of emergency declared on December 21st, 2020 and its associated movement restrictions are unconstitutional. Certain provinces and municipalities have now adopted their own mobility restrictions.
The Ecuadorian Government declared a 30-day State of Emergency on April 1st, 2021 for eight provinces: Azuay, El Oro, Esmeraldas, Guayas, Manabí, Pichincha, Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas y Loja. The State of Emergency ordered a curfew from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
The Government of Ecuador provides coronavirus-related information at this website (Spanish only): https://www.coronavirusecuador.com.
Please see https://www.gestionderiesgos.gob.ec/coe-nacional/ (Spanish only) for general information regarding restrictions and https://www.gestionderiesgos.gob.ec/resoluciones-coe/ (Spanish only) for specific resolutions for the most up to date information regarding curfew times and other restrictions.
Testing
A list of laboratories licensed to perform RT-PCR and rapid antigen tests is available on the website maintained by Ecuador’s Medical Services and Prepaid Medicine Quality Assurance Agency (ACESS): http://www.calidadsalud.gob.ec/laboratorios-autorizados/
RT-PCR tests cost between $80 and $120.
You should advise the laboratory that the test is needed for imminent air travel and results are needed within 72 hours. Laboratories generally promise results within 24 to 48 hours.
Emergency number (related to COVID-19) while visiting the country
Individuals with symptoms may call 171 or 911.
Source:
US Embassy in Ecuador https://ec.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information-ecu-2/
Published on August 26th 2021 (checked on September 15th 2021)
For more information please visit our COVID-19 Updates page at https://www.hiddentrails.com/article/covid19update.aspx