Previous Story
With more freedoms for citizens, businesses and other sectors, Ecuador’s municipalities assume control of the pandemic
Posted On 14 Sep 2020
Now without a state of exception in Ecuador, municipalities must exercise control in their localities to avoid possible outbreaks and stop COVID-19 infections, as the global pandemic continues.
With more freedoms for citizens, businesses and other sectors, Ecuador’s municipalities assume control of the pandemic
Thus, the majority of councils limit and maintain regulations on the capacity of businesses, institutions, public transport, entry to tourist sites and places of recreation or entertainment.
They have also set opening hours in shops and some will control vehicular circulation through the last digit of plates, among other actions.
Part of these regulations have already been translated into ordinances, in accordance with the powers they have.
For example, in Riobamba, the capital of the province of Chimborazo, the ordinance already in force prohibits public events and shows. The capacity in the shops will be 50% and the attention will be from 05:00 to 23:00. Public and commercial transport is authorized with up to 75% of the passenger capacity.
Individual physical activities are allowed in parks and recreational spaces. The use of public spaces in squares and markets is authorized, from 05:00 to 23:00. And the meeting rooms, cinemas and theaters will provide their services with a capacity of 30%. The reopening of archaeological sites and museums is also authorized, as well as the resumption of formative training activities in swimming pools.
In Cuenca, capital of Azuay, permits will not be granted to hold mass and public events in the fifteen urban parishes of the canton. In rural areas, the decision is made by the parochial boards.
The gyms will be able to work from this Monday as long as they comply with the biosecurity protocols. The vehicle restriction will be maintained according to the license plate number.
In Ibarra, for example, the transport operators will work from today at 100%, but with 75% capacity. Public sporting, cultural, artistic and tourist events will host a minimum of 30 people, prior to the presentation of a contingency plan.
Sports venues will be reopened. Also swimming pools and wet areas at tourist accommodation sites. Shopping centers and restaurants will operate with 75% of the capacity, while movie theaters, theaters and auditoriums, with 50% of the capacity. In wakes, a maximum of 25 people, not so in those of deaths from COVID-19 that are still denied. And the Municipality will work in a single day, from 08:00 to 16:00.
In Baños, in Tungurahua, the local COE decided to continue with a yellow traffic light. For this reason, public shows, events or concentration on public roads, such as marathons, parades, political rallies and the like, are still prohibited here.
The operation of event rooms with a capacity of up to 30% is authorized. Urban public transport will maintain the capacity of 75% of seats and taxis will operate with up to three passengers.
In Machala, the resumption of activities in gyms and physical training centers was approved, with a capacity of up to 30%. The hours of the restaurants were also extended, which will serve from 05:00 to 23:00.
In Portoviejo there are 23 measures. Among these, face-to-face work activities were authorized in the public and private sectors at 70%.
Starting today, gyms and sports and functional training sites are opening, with a capacity of 30%.
In Tosagua, Manabí, social gatherings of any kind, including wakes, are still prohibited due to the increase in positive cases of COVID-19. And all the spas and sports establishments will remain closed.
In Esmeraldas, capital of the province of the same name, virtual classes are maintained even for two local universities, for the Driver Training School, for artisan academies and for private courses. And wakes and family and executive meetings with up to 25 people are authorized.
206 cantons of the 221 in Ecuador ended the state of exception with a yellow traffic light.
13 cantons of the 221 in Ecuador ended the state of exception with a green traffic light.
2 cantons: Palanda, in Zamora Chinchipe, and Chilla, in El Oro, finished with the exception in red.
KEY BRIEFS
Municipalities, defaults; there is concern
Provincial representatives, such as the governor of Esmeraldas, Cecilia Angulo, asked, over the weekend, the president of the National Assembly, César Litardo, to intercede for the Ministry of Finance to send the appropriations that are owed to municipalities and institutions of Emeralds.
In other municipalities, their representatives also wait for the payment of debts, as they assure that they assume control of the COVID-19 pandemic from today and that many do not have the resources.
Cantons maintain a ‘curfew’
Lago Agrio, in the Amazon, canton of the province of Sucumbíos, is one of those that maintains restrictions on mobility, as was the case with the curfew in force until before the end of the state of exception.
Thus, in this town you will not be able to circulate or walk through the streets from Monday to Thursday, from 00:00 to 05:00; On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, however, the arrangement starts earlier, from 22:00 to 05:00. In Tosagua and Manta, cantons of Manabí, there is a vehicle restriction from 23:00 to 05:00.
Border crossings will remain closed
Land borders and sea ports continue to be closed, according to the disposition of the national COE, on Friday the 11th.
“Only the binational service centers on the Rumichaca border with Colombia and Huaquillas with Peru remain open for foreign trade activities and entry of national citizens and resident foreigners as required”, the resolution indicates.
The guidelines in this field are in charge of the Armed Forces, the National Police and Migration, it was said. (I)
