Ecuador - Bio Security

COVID-19:

• Effective 20 October 2022, Ecuador eliminated its COVID-19 entry requirements.

Our thanks to Puerto Amistad for updates throughout the Pandemic.

History:

• Mid-March 2020, borders completely closed (initially for 21 days).
• Ecuador stopped the clock on the expiry of temporary imports and visas, meaning cruisers stuck in Ecuador after the borders closed, could remain even if their papers expired during the lockdown. After the health emergency ended, foreigners were given a 30 day grace period in country before they had to leave/renew their papers.
• Lockdown restrictions were repeatedly extended as the country struggled with the level of cases.
• May 18, 2020, the Navy opened ports nationally, however the local authorities did not have protocols in place to deal with arriving vessels, therefore many ports still did not accept incoming traffic. Bahía de Caráquez (Puerto Amistad) did open to accept international yachts. A Covid test was required on arrival and quarantine. Land borders remained closed and flights were only for Residents and Ecuadorian Nationals.
• Having opened all ports on October 5th, 2020, the President of Ecuador closed all ports on October 12th due to an outbreak of Covid in the port of Manta following the return of the fishing fleet. The President determined that he wanted to keep the borders closed until November. International flights were operating again by this time.
• Sea borders re-opened on 26 November, 2020. Crew had to show a negative PCR test (taken no more than 10 days before entering). No test result meant Mandatory Preventive Isolation (APO ) for 10 days.
• December 22, 2020, Ecuador closed again for 30 days - all ports shut.
• This closure in fact continued for nearly 6 months, with one exception for pleasure yachts. The Portuaria Office of the Minister of Transportation and Obras of Ecuador located in Guayaquil was able to grant entry permission to recreational tourism vessels with less than 7 passengers. Once again, Puerto Amistad dealt with the clearance authorities on yachts behalf.
• The Ecuador mainland international maritime border closed once again on 04 July, 2021 (due to lack of vaccines and discovery of one of the fast spreading variants), however, permission to enter for recreational craft under 50 tons was possible with pre-application.
• November 2021 the requirement to have a test if vaccinated was withdrawn.
• December 2021 PCR testing was re-introduced due to the Omicrom variant.
• February 1st, 2022, ports re-opened to vaccinated crew only.
• June 2022 all ports re-opened and restrictions were eased to permit the entry of non-vaccinated crew with arrival testing.
• Entry requirements were eliminated in October 2022.