COE Approves New Requirements for the Entry of Travelers to Ecuador from Abroad

The National COE resolved on March 17 the following guidelines for entering the country, which will come into effect as of 00:00 on March 22:

• Any person who enters Ecuador, must present a mandatory negative RT-PCR test or negative antigen test, carried out up to three days before arrival in Ecuador or a detailed COVID-19 vaccination certificate.
• Any person who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 by PCR test, with more than one month prior to the date of onset of symptoms and who continues to present positive PCR tests, as long as there are no symptoms, must present a Medical Certificate issued in the country of origin that guarantees your state of health for entry to Ecuador.
• Any passenger who, upon arrival in Ecuador, presents COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough, general malaise, loss of smell, loss of taste, etc.) regardless of the result of the PCR test or antigen test, will be evaluated by the health personnel of the Ministry of Public Health prior to entering the migration area. If it is determined that it is a "suspicious case," a rapid antigen test will be carried out and if positive, said passenger must isolate for ten days after the date of sampling at his/her home or Accommodation chosen by and at the expense of the traveler. This information must be included in the Traveler's Health Declaration. In the event that the rapid antigen test is negative, the passenger will not be obligated to isolate.
• Children under two years of age and crew members are exempt from presenting, upon arrival, a negative PCR or negative antigen test, and/or vaccination card.
• Ecuadorian passengers who were declared unadmitted in other countries and return to Ecuador, should not present a PCR test, however, the Ministry of Public Health will perform a rapid antigen test at the time of their entry into the country.
• Passengers in transit in Ecuador must not present a negative PCR or antigen test or vaccination card against COVID-19.

Additionally, the National COE states that:

• All passengers upon arrival at airports in Ecuador will go through a temperature scan that will allow identifying temperatures above 37.5°C.
• Every person who enters Ecuador must comply with the biosafety measures established by the Ministry of Public Health, such as:

a) Mandatory use of a mask.

b) Frequent handwashing with soap and water or hand sanitizer use of at least 70% alcohol.

c) Maintain a social distance of 2 meters.

d) Continuous cleansing of surfaces.

e) Avoid meetings of more than 10 people in closed places.

f) If necessary, the meeting must be with less than 10 people

g) Ensure the ventilation of the place.