The National COE Eliminates Mandatory Preventive Isolation for International Travelers Who Enter Ecuador with a Negative PCR Result

International travelers who arrive in the country by air presenting a negative COVID-19 PCR test will no longer have to perform mandatory preventive isolation. This was decided by the National Emergency Operations Committee (COE in Spanish) on Aug. 14. This measure will permit the increase of tourism travel to the country. The test must have been carried out within 10 days prior to entering the country. Quick tests are not valid.

The approved protocol also establishes that passengers who do not present a negative test upon arrival in the country must carry out mandatory preventive isolation. If the passenger wishes, a PCR test can be performed, at his / her cost, using the services of a laboratory accredited by the Agency for the Assurance of Quality of Health Services (ACESS). If the PCR test is negative, the person can leave the isolation.

Andrew O'Brian, president and CEO of Corporación Quiport, stated that, “this decision will allow the reactivation of tourism in the country and increase passenger traffic and air transport service. The sanitary measures implemented at the airports have proven their effectiveness and, with a negative result of a PCR test, people entering the country will be able to carry out their activities without inconvenience. Without a doubt it is a great step forward to continue working to overcome the economic crisis”. Mr. O’Brian thanked all the people and entities that worked on the preparation and approval of this protocol, “all sectors involved: tourism authorities, airports, airlines, hotels and all tourism service providers made valuable contributions; the new protocol is a reality," stated the airport director.

For people leaving from Ecuador on a short international trip, the protocol states that if the passenger presents a negative PCR test issued 10 days before the trip and returns to Ecuador before the 10-day validity of the test, mandatory preventive isolation upon return would not be compulsory.

"We are confident that the recovery of air transport, and all the activities that depend on it, can move forward more firmly thanks to these new provisions," concluded Andrew O'Brian.