Latest news: Government imposes nighttime curfew, other mobility restrictions (Reuters, 22.04.2021)
International Restrictions:
*Entry to Ecuador: All land borders with Colombia and Peru remain closed until further notice. However, Ecuadorean nationals and foreign residents may be allowed to enter Ecuador, via Rumichaca and Huaquillas northern and southern borders. All ports remain closed.
As of 1 June 2020, international commercial flights have resumed operations to and from Ecuador. However, following the identification of a new variant of Coronavirus, we highly recommend you to contact your airline/travel company to check your travel itinerary.
*Testing / screening on arrival: Upon arrival, all passengers will be required to sign a health declaration form with their itinerary and local contact details. They must also present a negative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) qualitative test for COVID-19, or a negative antigen rapid test, taken up to 3 days prior to their arrival in the country. This is a mandatory requirement, which airlines are responsible for enforcing in order to allow passengers to board.
As of 22 March 2021, travellers who have had their complete COVID-19 vaccination can present the official vaccination certificate instead of the above negative RT-PCR or rapid test result. However, the use of “Immunity Certificates or Vaccination Certificates/Cards” from foreign passengers will be subject to constant review. You should arrange to take a private test.
Passengers who had been diagnosed with COVID-19 through a positive RT-PCR test, if over a month has passed since the beginning of the symptoms, and who continue to show a positive test result, can be exempted from the above general requirement to enter the country (only if they no longer have symptoms, and if they present an official Medical Certificate which certifies their health condition, issued in their country of origin).
Only airline crew members, children under 2 years old and passengers on transit to other countries are exempt from the RT-PCR or Antigen rapid test or the COVID-19 vaccination certificate requirement.
If, on arrival, a passenger presents COVID-19 related symptoms, they will be evaluated by a health care worker and if necessary will be taken to the nearest health centre for a full evaluation.
*Quarantine requirements: Passengers who test positive in the antigen test taken at the airport will need to self-isolate for 10 days. Self-isolation for non-residents can be carried out in any hotel. Local residents and people qualified as “priority attention groups” such as people over 65 years old, children and pregnant women, will be allowed to self-isolate at their homes.
As of 9 April 2021, passengers arriving from Brazil, including those who had been in transit only, will need to self-isolate for 10 days in any hotel accredited by the Ministry of Tourism, regardless of the results of any test for COVID-19. This new requirement was announced by Ecuador’s National Emergency Committee on 6 April.
The Ministry of Health has published more information on coronavirus protocols that also allows for direct messaging with the Ministry (Spanish only). If you need to find emergency accommodation to go through the mandatory self-isolation protocol, you can access options on the Ministry of Health website
The Government will monitor the situation in other countries with high risk of contagion to prevent incoming flights.
Travel to and from the Galapagos: From 1 July, tourist activities are allowed in the Galapagos Islands. Commercial flights connecting the Islands resumed on 3 August. The local authorities have created a ‘safe travel corridor’ for travel to the Galapagos Islands.
Foreigners wishing to enter the islands must present a negative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test for COVID-19, taken 96 hours prior to the date of departure to the Galapagos islands.
On arrival in Ecuador tourists may be requested to take another PCR test, at their own expense. Tourists must also present a return flight and a safe passage document (‘salvoconducto’) issued by the Ministry of Tourism to be exempt from doing 14 days of self-isolation on the islands. The tour operators or hotels are responsible for arranging this safe passage document on behalf of tourists, given that visitors are required to have previous contracted travel and accommodation arrangements. The Galapagos Transit Control Card, will need to be filled out online at least 24 hours before the flight. On arrival in Ecuador you will be required to fill in a Health Status Declaration, including a local address. Travel health insurance is mandatory for foreign tourists.
If you have any queries regarding travel back to mainland Ecuador, you can contact the Galapagos authorities via email at galapagosresponder@gmail.com
*Visa extensions: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility (MFA) authorised a further 30 day visa extension for those people whose visa expired between 19 March 2020 and 21 January 2021.This is set out in Ministerial Decree 127 of 30 December 2020, which replaced decree 035. From 21 January 2021 foreign visitors had until 19 February 2021 to either leave the country, without paying a fine, or apply for a temporary visa, by lodging a formal application. The MFA implemented an online appointment system (“sistema agendamiento citas”) and immigration control officials have access to the MFA’s appointment platform to check applicants’ status.
The MFA is encouraging customers not to approach their offices nationwide without a confirmed appointment (including for residence visa renewals and other services). Follow the MFA’s social media account for more information: Cancilleria Ecuador. For general guidance contact: consejeria@cancilleria.gob.ec / citasvisas@cancilleriga.gob.ec / citasvisas@cancilleriga.gob.ec. Get the relevant emails for other MFA’s Coordinaciones Zonales here.
The maximum extension period to remain in Ecuador without a formal visa is 180 days. For any general enquiries contact: servicios.migratorios@ministeriodegobierno.gob.ec. To apply for a visa extension (known as “prórroga”) online see here Internal Restrictions:
*Travel in Ecuador: The Ecuadorean government provides coronavirus-related information on the Coronavirus Ecuador website. The Ministry of Health also provides an information page . However, the most up to date information is accessible via their Twitter account .
*Public spaces and services: Power to impose traffic restrictions and controls on social gatherings lies with local municipalities and other competent authorities, in conjunction with Ecuador’s National Emergency Operations Committee (COE).
Please check more detailed information with local authorities – details below - to ensure that you comply with any local restrictions, including vehicle circulation restrictions in your area.
The general nationwide biosecurity measures include:
• extra precaution advised for people over 60 years old, and those whose medical conditions make them vulnerable to COVID-19
• mandatory use of face masks in public spaces.
• all individuals to comply with social distancing measures and practice frequent hand washing
• in-person school classes have been suspended since 2020. Blended classes (mix of in-person and online) will be allowed to take place if the school’s COVID action plan has been approved by the National Emergency Operations Committee (COE) and according to existing restrictions.
• remote working continues to be encouraged
• public gatherings and mass events are prohibited
• the reopening of beaches will continue to be monitored via the “Distancia2” app.
• authorised labs to undertake COVID-19 tests
• a nationwide tracing app ( ̔ASI Ecuador̕ ) is available to alert people if they have been in contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case during the last 15 days. The app is supported via Bluetooth and maintains the confidentiality of users
• land borders with Colombia and Peru remain closed until further notice. However, Ecuadorean nationals and foreign residents may be allowed to enter Ecuador via the Rumichaca and Huaquillas northern and southern borders.
• ports remain closed for travel/tourism activities. Only cargo services are allowed
The 28-day state of emergency for the provinces of Azuay, Pichincha, Imbabura, Carchi, Tungurahua, Cotopaxi, El Oro, Esmeraldas, Guayas, Loja, Manabi, Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas, Santa Elena, Los Rios, Sucumbios and Zamora Chinchipe, declared by the President on 21 April, has ended. There are no longer lockdown and weekend curfew measures in place in the above provinces.
Ecuador’s National Emergency Operations Committee (COE) has announced that from Friday 21 May all social mass events and public gatherings continue to be suspended, mixed on-line/in person schooling is prohibited, inter provincial buses can operate at 75% capacity, and that both public and private sectors should continue prioritising virtual working.
The power to impose further restrictions, including curfew hours, transit and other controls on social gatherings lies with local municipalities and other competent authorities, in conjunction with Ecuador’s National Emergency Operations Committee.
Please check more detailed information with local authorities – details below - to ensure that you comply with any local restrictions, including vehicle circulation restrictions in your area.
Restrictions do not apply for key sectors such as public and private healthcare, security, basic public services, emergency response, produce sectors and those who need to transport goods and food. People who are transporting passengers to/from the airport (showing flight tickets) and verified medical emergencies and appointments are also exempt.
*Restrictions: The central government´s “red, amber, green” alert system is no longer in force. However, it will be used as an internal management tool for epidemiological monitoring.
Each municipal government is responsible for determining its own specific restrictions including, but not limited to, maximum capacity for public transport, the circulation of private vehicles against licence plate numbers, health prevention protocols for all businesses and industries and alcohol sale and consumption.
We strongly recommend that you follow the local municipalities’ social media channels to obtain the most up to date notifications, but bear in mind that these might change at any time:
Quito: @MunicipioQuito; Guayaquil: @alcaldiagye; Cuenca: @MunicipioCuenca; Galapagos: @CGGalapagos
Ecuador’s National Emergency Operations Committee (COE) has a website with their official resolutions (Spanish only).
Within the national health emergency, the Ecuadorean Ministry of Health will continue to issue the required health prevention measures, including PCR tests and any mandatory self-isolation (Aislamiento Preventivo Obligatorio – APO) requirements.
*Restrictions in Quito: Quito Municipality continues with its campaign to increase testing and triage. In addition to adhering to the standard general biosecurity measures, you must also carry an identity card at all times.
All COVID-19 measures will continue to be enforced robustly and infringements will be handled by the relevant competent authorities.
The “Hoy No Circula” circulation private vehicle restriction system has been reactivated from 21 May to 30 June 2021.
Vehicles with number plates ending in the following numbers cannot circulate on the following days:
Monday: 0, 1, 2, 3; Tuesday: 2, 3, 4, 5; Wednesday: 4, 5, 6, 7; Thursday: 6, 7, 8, 9; Friday: 8, 9, 0, 1
From Monday to Thursday, the “Hoy No Circula” vehicle restriction is between 6am to 8pm and on Friday from 6am to 11pm. This is only applicable for the urban areas of Quito Metropolitan District.
All vehicle number plates are allowed to circulate on Saturday, from 6am to 11pm, and on Sundays from 6am to 12pm, and whole day on official public holidays.
Within Quito Municipality´s Resolution A022-2021 of 18 May, a complete restriction of transport circulation has been issued for Friday and Saturday for the whole Metropolitan District, from 11pm to 6am of the following day.
Vehicle circulation restrictions do not apply for verified medical emergencies and appointments; for transfers to the airport (showing flight tickets) and for key sectors with safe passage documents.
In addition, people who work for certain vital sectors, such as health, food provision, financial and emergencies, will be allowed to circulate on the days which the vehicle’s number plate would not normally be permitted to circulate. You must present valid credentials or proof of emergency if stopped by a local authority. The issuance of special safe passage documents (“salvoconductos”) has been reinstated for private vehicles that can justify their need to circulate inside the “Hoy No Circula” restrictions.
All public and social gatherings are prohibited. Pubs and nightclubs are closed until further notice. All sport activities that cannot comply with the minimum distancing requirements are also suspended temporarily.
You will be fined 50% of a minimum salary if you are found drinking in public spaces (including inside vehicles).
Restaurants, shopping centres, public transport, bus terminals and tourist transport can operate at a maximum of 50% capacity. Cinemas, theatres and gyms (complying with minimum distancing requirements) can operate at a maximum capacity of 30%.
Visit the Quito “Mariscal Sucre” International Airport website for details on their COVID-19 protocols and health measures for passengers.
Visit theGuayaquil “Jose Joaquin de Olmedo” International Airport website for general information on COVID-19 measures and related FAQ (in Spanish).