Supermarkets and pharmacies will not have restrictions in Guayaquil
This Wednesday, March 31, the mayor of Guayaquil, Cynthia Viteri, presented the latest figures recorded by the city. He did so to explain the need for the new restrictions to mitigate COVID-19 cases.
Faced with the new measures, the secretary of the Cantonal Emergency Operations Committee (COE) explained that the working day in the city will end at 4:00 p.m. Supermarkets, logistics chains, pharmacies and drugstores that will maintain their business hours are exempt from this measure.
Another sector that will not apply the new provisions, according to the authorities, is public transport that will operate according to its usual schedule. Private transport, meanwhile, may circulate until 19:00.
The covid-19 figures in Guayaquil
According to the data, the Guayaquil health authorities warned that hospital care had to be increased from 150,000 to 218,000 per week to prevent health institutions from collapsing. These data correspond to the 80 service points and the 24 door-to-door.
Faced with the alarm, the Municipality of Guayaquil is programming the purchase of food kits through the Church and the United Nations, according to Viteri. For its part, “in the hospital we started the purchase of gasometers, ventilators, a new ambulance and high-flow oxygen pumps,” said the mayor.
The recent data on covid-19 worries the authorities. Just in the last week, Guayaquil has 320 beds with oxygen. Likewise, in that time, they reported 1,120 covid-19 cases registered through PCR tests. In the last three days, in the city there were 70 deaths due to coronavirus; that is, more than 20 people a day.
The beds of Intensive Care Units (ICU), in the city, are full. The mayor warned that they are 100% occupied and that at least 50 people are still waiting for a space. “You will understand that, if those who are in ICU beds, die in a higher percentage, now those who hope to have a quota for ICU beds, would practically be condemned,” said the Mayor.
Faced with this scenario, the Municipality carries out the entire project to vaccinate its citizens once the Ministry of Health delivers the agreed drug. For this, they have seven points ready with 300 positions and at least 1,000 specialists ready to administer the vaccine.
They will not penalize drivers who violate the mobility restriction schedule
The measures implemented in Guayaquil to stop the advance of the covid-19 virus, are in force from today, Wednesday, March 31, 2021. One of them is the vehicle restriction from 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
The authorities of the Guayaquil council reported that there will be no economic sanctions for those who do not comply with the schedule. However, the vehicle of the person who violates this law will be retained for later return after a pertinent procedure is carried out.
The prohibition of alcohol consumption is reaffirmed and the sale of liquor stores, gas stations, minimarkets and retail distribution venues is regulated.
Transportation to and from the airport is allowed and exceptions are made with the provision of basic services such as food and health.