Coronavirus in Samborondon, Guayaquil, Ecuador

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Sep 30, 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...

There is no longer any curfew of car travel restrictions in Samborondon but there is in nearby Guayaquil. The COVID-190 cases and deaths in this area is steady to slowing, so the hospitals are now taking in other patients besides COVID-19.

Government Response

We Asked: Describe how the government of the country about which you are reporting is handling this situation. He replied...

The national government ended its State of Emergency, which began on March 17, on September 17, so now it's up to the local and provincial governments to manage on their own.

Supplies and Shortages

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

There no shortages in my area that I'm aware of.

Travel Restrictions and Related COVID-19 Testing

We Asked: Are non-citizens allowed to travel to your country? Describe travel restrictions, COVID-19 testing requirements and any details about traveling into your country. He replied...

Travel into the country requires a valid, negative test (not the fast test) within 72 hrs. With no test or positive test you will be assigned a hotel for a two week quarantine at your own expense.

Health Insurance Requirements

We Asked: Is health insurance required when traveling into the country? Is it required when applying for residency? Is this a new requirement since COVID-19? Describe the health insurance requirement. He replied...

For residency, everyone must be covered with health insurance which is accepted in Ecuador. This has been a requirement for several years.

COVID-19 Testing

We Asked: How easy or difficult is it to get a COVID-19 test locally? Where can you get tested? Do you need to have symptoms or a prescription from a doctor? Describe the process. He replied...

From what I have seen in the local news it can be difficult for an individual to get a test, although there are some areas where the government is doing random tests in communities to locate hot spots.

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...

My wife and I are affiliate members of IESS which is the health plan under the national Social Security system. There is also a Ministry of health which provides free health care, mainly for those who are not with IESS.

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...

The COVID-19 cases and deaths in this area remain steady to slowing, so the hospitals are now taking in other patients besides COVID-19.

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...

We would go to the Social Security hospital IESS as we are members. Without private health insurance the private hospitals are expensive and they won't allow you to leave if the bill is not paid in full.

Residency & Visa

We Asked: Are new residency applications being processed? Have there been any changes or extensions made in terms of residency and other visa renewals? He replied...

I don't know about that.

Future Outlook

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...

Both my wife and I are glad that we're not in the US right now.