Coronavirus in Cuenca, Ecuador

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Apr 19, 2020 Update

We Asked: What is currently happening with regard to the Coronavirus outbreak in your area? Please provide as much detail as possible. He replied...

Everything seems under control in this city. Restrictions are very strict.. far more severe and imposed far earlier than Western nations. In a city of appr. 700,000 there are about 100 cases.

How People are Coping

We Asked: How are people handling the situation in your area? He replied...

Everyone in this province of Ecuador is behaving. Streets are empty and only grocery stores and pharmacies are open. Police politely enforce the rules, though fines for infractions are very large. We are looking what is happening in the developed world, especially the US, with horror.

Changing Conditions as coronavirus Spreads

We Asked: How has the situation changed as the Coronavirus has spread? He replied...

Retail stores and restaurants are closed..along with schools and the large open air markets. The one province (1/22) that followed Trumpism has 71% of the cases and has been road blocked from the rest of the country.

Government Response with Regard to Expats

We Asked: Describe how your home country's government has handled the outbreak situation with regards to its expatriate citizens. He replied...

Canada, better than some but not as well, with what they have, than Ecuador.

Supplies and Shortages

We Asked: Is there a shortage of supplies in your location? He replied...

Yes..if you compare Ecuador with the average developed nation. But local supply of masks and care workers was covered very quickly. Different culture. Rather than trying to find who is at fault, they simply made them locally. 6 washables for $2 at any open store.

Preparing for the Future

We Asked: What are you doing in terms of preparations in case the situation deteriorates in your location? He replied...

Food is not a problem in Ecuador.

Lockdown & Passing the Time

We Asked: Are you staying home? If so, how are you passing the time? He replied...

Streaming television and cooking!

Public Healthcare & Public Hospitals

We Asked: Are you enrolled in the public healthcare system where you live? Do you feel that the public hospitals are handling or preparing for the Coronavirus outbreak effectively? He replied...

We are insured privately. 250/month. But if there is no space in a hospital.. what good is that.. in any country?

Private Health Insurance & Private Hospitals

We Asked: Do you have private health insurance? If you have private insurance, does this give you access to private hospitals? Are private hospitals or clinics better prepared, less prepared, or the same? Please explain. He replied...

Yes. See above.

Hospital of Choice for Coronavirus Treatment

We Asked: Would you choose a public or private hospital if you needed treatment for Coronavirus? Why? If there is a specific hospital that you would go to in the event of severe illness? Which hospital and why? He replied...

There are many good ones in this city. Santa Ines, Del Rio, Mount Sinai

Returning Home

We Asked: Are you considering returning to your home country due to the Coronavirus? Would this be a temporary move or a permanent repatriation? Please explain. He replied...

No. It is safer here than in Canada, or ANY western developed nation. Expats who rushed to the US weeks ago are dead of the virus now.

Advice for People Outside of Cuenca, Ecuador

We Asked: If you live in an area already heavily affected by coronavirus, what advice would you share with others elswhere in the world who may be facing the same challenges in the future. He replied...

Depends on their age. But the main recipe is to stay at home.

How Government is Treating Expats

We Asked: How is the government of the country where you are currently living treating expats during this time? Have there been any changes or extensions made in terms of residency and and other visa renewals, applications and requirements? Has access to public healthcare been eased? Please describe any types of changes (positive and negative) that are taking place. He replied...

Ecuador treats expats well.