Message for U.S. Citizens – ALERT: Updated Entry and Exit Requirements for Ecuador 8/17/2020

Home Página Inicial | News & Events | Message for U.S. Citizens – ALERT: Updated Entry and Exit Requirements for Ecuador 8/17/2020

Message for U.S. Citizens
August 17, 2020
ALERT: Updated Entry and Exit Requirements for Ecuador – 8/17/2020

COVID-19 Information

Last updated: 08/17/20

Country-Specific Information:

Entry and Exit Requirements:

  • Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter?   Yes
    • Ecuador has moved to a Level 3 Travel Advisory: Reconsider Travel.
    • Ecuador approved resumption of commercial flight operations on June 1, 2020.
    • All travelers arriving in Ecuador must provide proof of a negative COVID PCR test taken no more than ten (10) days before entering the country.  As long as the traveler does not present symptoms of COVID, the traveler does not need to perform mandatory preventive quarantine (“aislamiento preventativo obligatorio”, or APO) and they may freely move within the continental territory of Ecuador (note there are special rules for the Galapagos Islands).  The full August 15, 2020 protocol is available here: https://www.gestionderiesgos.gob.ec/resoluciones-coe-nacional-15-de-agosto-2020/.
    • Travelers who do not provide the results of a PCR test must undertake, at their own expense, a PCR test upon arrival.  The traveler must then proceed immediately to quarantine in a hotel, hostel, motel or other temporary accommodation authorized for such purpose.  If the traveler receives a negative test result, the traveler may terminate the quarantine.  If the traveler receives a positive test result, the traveler must continue the quarantine and necessary health care will be provided.
    • A traveler who presents symptoms of COVID upon arrival in Ecuador is required to perform a RT-PCR test at their own expense and proceed to quarantine even if the traveler presents a negative PCR test at the airport of entry.  For more information, please see the August 15, 2020, protocol released by the National Emergency Commission: https://www.gestionderiesgos.gob.ec/resoluciones-coe-nacional-15-de-agosto-2020/.
    • There are specific requirements for travel to Galapagos. https://www.gestionderiesgos.gob.ec/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/LINEAMIENTOS-PARA-EL-INGRESO-DE-TURISTAS-A-GALA%CC%81PAGOS.pdf.
    • Please note procedures may change at any time. We recommend reaching out to the Ecuadorian embassy or consulate nearest you before traveling for the most updated information at https://www.cancilleria.gob.ec/estados-unidos/.
  • Is a negative COVD-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry?  Yes
    • Travelers must provide the results of a PCR (polymerise chain reaction) COVID test taken within the last ten (10) days prior to arrival in Ecuador.
  • Are health screening procedures in place at airports and other ports of entry?  Yes
    • If a negative PCR test is not provided, testing will be conducted immediately at the airport at the cost of the traveler
  • If you are a U.S. citizen visiting Ecuador on a 90-day tourist visa: The Ecuadorian government announced on March 20 a no-fault extension for tourists whose visa validity or 90-day visa-free stay expired during the health emergency. Individuals can renew without paying a fine until 30 days after the emergency is lifted. On August 14, President Moreno extended the state of emergency through September 15, 2020.

Movement Restrictions:

  • Is a curfew in place?  Yes
  • Are there restrictions on intercity or interstate travel?  Yes
    • The Government of Ecuador has restricted movement throughout the country and imposed curfews.  Some provinces are relaxing these restrictions, but U.S. citizens should continue to comply with all local laws and monitor local news for any updates.  Note these restrictions can change at any time. Please see: https://www.gestionderiesgos.gob.ec/coe-nacional/ for general information regarding restrictions and https://www.gestionderiesgos.gob.ec/resoluciones-coe/ for specific resolutions for the most up to date information regarding curfew times and other restrictions.

Quarantine Information:

  • Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine?  Yes
    • Travelers who do not provide the results of a PCR test must undertake, at their own expense, a PCR test upon arrival and proceed immediately to quarantine in one of the hotels authorized by the Government of Ecuador’s National Emergency Commission (“Comité de Operaciones de Emergencia”) until receiving the test results.  Travelers who provide proof of a negative COVID PCR test taken no more than ten (10) days before entering the country do not need to quarantine as long as the traveler does not present symptoms of COVID.
    • If a quarantined traveler receives a negative PCR test result, the traveler may terminate the quarantine. If the traveler receives a positive test result, the traveler must continue the quarantine and necessary health care will be provided.
    • There are specific requirements for travel to Galapagos. https://www.gestionderiesgos.gob.ec/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/LINEAMIENTOS-PARA-EL-INGRESO-DE-TURISTAS-A-GALA%CC%81PAGOS.pdf.
    • Please note procedures may change at any time. We recommend reaching out to the Ecuadorian embassy or consulate nearest you before traveling for the most updated information at https://www.cancilleria.gob.ec/estados-unidos/.

COVID-19 Testing:

  • The only type of test accepted is PCR, no rapid tests or IGG/IGM.
  • Travelers must provide the results of a PCR (polymerise chain reaction) COVID test within the last ten (10) days prior to arrival in Ecuador. If a negative PCR test is not provided, testing will be conducted immediately at the airport.
  • PCR-RT tests are being provided by private companies at the airport. The traveler will assume costs associated with testing.

Transportation Options:

  • Are commercial flights operating?  Yes
    • The U.S. Embassy is aware of the following airlines that may have flight options for U.S. citizens who wish to return to the United States.Contact the airlines directly for additional information or check with your preferred travel arranger/online travel agency.
      • American Airlines is operating flights out of Quito and Guayaquil:
        Customers can contact American Airlines directly at www.aa.com, by telephone at 800-433-7300 (English) or 800-633-3711 (Spanish), or through a travel agency.
      • Eastern Airlines is operating flights out of Guayaquil:
        Customers can contact Eastern Airlines directly by telephone at +1-855-216-7601, +1-877-971-0919, or +1-201-526-7616.
      • Jet Blue is operating flights out of Quito and Guayaquil:
        Customers can contact Jet Blue directly at www.jetblue.com, by telephone at +1-800-538-2583 (U.S. phone number for Ecuador), or through a travel agency.
      • Spirit Airlines is operating flights out of Guayaquil:
        Customers can contact Spirit Airlines directly at www.spirit.com, via WhatsApp at +1-801-401-2222 with “Hello”, or through a travel agency.
      • United Airlines is operating flights out of Quito:
        Customers can contact United Airlines at VentasEcuador@united.com, via WhatsApp to +593-9-8461-7257, at www.united.com or through a travel agency.
    • Do not travel to the airport without a confirmed itinerary and please make sure you are aware of current curfew restrictions.
    • Currently, we are not aware of any other airlines departing Ecuador to the United States. When we learn about additional airline options, we will post that information on this webpage.
    • COVID-19 Travel Restrictions:  At this time, there are no specific limitations or quarantine requirements for U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents entering the United States from Ecuador.  Restrictions are in place for individuals returning from Brazil, China, Iran, and certain European countries, which have all been highly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.  For more information and the latest updates, please visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s COVID-19 website.  While there are no specific quarantine requirements, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a two-week self-quarantine upon arrival at your final destination in the United States.  Note that individual cities and states may have additional requirements upon arrival.  See the CDC recommendations posted on their website.
  • Is public transportation operating?  Yes
  • Transportation within Ecuador to either Quito or Guayaquil Airports
    • Due to curfew and travel restrictions, please be sure to complete and take with you the Mobilization Authorization that permits travel throughout the country irrespective of curfew hours. Each passenger should follow the instructions located here: https://ec.usembassy.gov/msg200423/ (this includes information about obtaining a salvoconducto for the person taking travelers to the airport).
    • Bring and wear a face mask and gloves.
    • U.S. citizens who wish to depart Ecuador should contact commercial airlines directly.

Fines for Non-Compliance:

  • Individuals who do not obey rules and regulations regarding quarantine requirements, mask-wearing, and curfew may be subject to fines.

Consular Operations:

  • For current status of operations for the American Citizen Services section click here. 
  • For current status of operations for visa services click here

Local Resources:

Assistance:

 

By | 17 August, 2020 | Topics: Messages for U.S. Citizens, News, Security & Emergency Messages, U.S. Citizen Services

Suggested for You

Footer Disclaimer

This is the official website of the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Ecuador. External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.

American Flag