Ecuador announces restrictions for travelers due to Omicron coronavirus strain | Inquirer News

Ecuador announces restrictions for travelers due to Omicron coronavirus strain

/ 12:32 PM November 30, 2021

Ecuador travel curb

A passenger wearing gloves hold her luggage, as part of the security measures due to the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19), at Jose Joaquin de Olmedo International Airport in Guayaquil, Ecuador March 13, 2020. REUTERS FILE PHOTO

QUITO — Ecuador will impose entry restrictions on travelers flying from or via a number of African countries and will request vaccine certificates from those arriving from other countries due to the new Omicron strain of coronavirus, President Guillermo Lasso said on Monday.

With the announcement Ecuador joins other countries across the globe in restricting travel in response to the Omicron strain, which carries a very high risk of increased infection, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Article continues after this advertisement

“For all of us in Ecuador this variant should be seen as a wake-up call to make a greater effort against the pandemic,” Lasso said in a televised broadcast where he called on citizens to get vaccinated.

FEATURED STORIES

“It’s time to renew our fight against COVID-19,” he said.

The new measures will come into effect from Dec. 1.

Article continues after this advertisement

Anyone who has traveled from or through South Africa – where the Omicron strain was first detected – Botswana, Egypt, Mozambique, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Eswatini and Namibia will not be allowed to enter the country, Ecuador’s government said.

Article continues after this advertisement

Travelers from the rest of the world will need to present a complete vaccination certificate and a PCR test taken within the last 72 hours to enter the Andean country, Lasso added.

Article continues after this advertisement

Children aged between two and 16 years must also present a negatcive COVID-19 test on their arrival.

Concerns about the new strain of coronavirus come amid a recent decision by Ecuador to reopen its border with Colombia from Wednesday, prompting the government to adopt a phased approach to the reopening.

Article continues after this advertisement

“The first phase concerns the international transport of goods, which will comply with biosafety protocols according to the agreements between the transport ministries of the two countries,” Lasso said.

The government hopes to vaccinate 85% of its population by December to reach herd immunity and Lasso said the country has sufficient vaccine doses to meet that target.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

For more news about the novel coronavirus click here.
What you need to know about Coronavirus.
For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH Hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.

The Inquirer Foundation supports our healthcare frontliners and is still accepting cash donations to be deposited at Banco de Oro (BDO) current account #007960018860 or donate through PayMaya using this link.

TAGS: COVID-19, Ecuador, Health

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.