The sanitary traffic lights that the cantons in Ecuador will have from January 24 to 30, and the measures that govern them

This Saturday, January 22, a new scenario was announced on the map of health traffic lights in Ecuador due to the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic and its omicron variant that increased infections in the country and that now dominates infections by this virus.

The national Emergency Operations Committee (COE) approved 22 new guidelines this Saturday afternoon due to a drop in infections in some localities, it was said.

So now they will be at a red light (high level of contagion risk) only 13 cantons. In yellow (low medium risk level) 179 cantons appear. Y in green (with low risk level) is located at 29 cantons. It is The scheme will be in force from this Monday, January 24, until January 30.

Here is the list of cantons by traffic light:

In red (high epidemiological risk level):

1. Sigsig (Azuay)
2. Bible (Cañar)
3. Alausi (Chimborazo)
4. San Lorenzo (Emeralds)
5. Colimes (Guayas)
6. Daule (Guayas)
7. Duran (Guayas)
8. The Triumph (Guayas)
9. Miracle (Guayas)
10. Yaguachi (Guayas)
11. Mocache (The Rivers)
12. Arajuno (Pastaza)
13. Santa Elena (Santa Elena)

In green (low risk level) are:

1. Salcedo (Cotopaxi)
2. Rafts (El Oro)
3. Chilla (The Gold)
4. Las Lajas (The Gold)
5. Marcabelí (The Gold)
6. Portovelo (The Gold)
7. Zaruma (The Gold)
8. Isabela (Galapagos)
9. Antonio Ante (Imbabura)
10. Cotacachi (Imbabura)
11. Pimampiro (Imbabura)
12. San Miguel de Urcuqui (Imbabura)
13. Catamayo (Shop)
14. Chaguarpamba (Loja)
15. Espindola (Store)
16. Macara (Store)
17. Olmedo (Store)
18. Puyango (Shop)
19. Zapotillo (Loja)
20. Gualaquiza (Morona Santiago)
21. Palora (Morona Santiago)
22. Pedro Moncayo (Pichincha)
23. Rumiñahui (Pichincha)
24. Gonzalo Pizarro (Sucumbios)
25. Holy Water Baths (Tungurahua)
26. Cevallos (Tungurahua)
27. Mocha (Tungurahua)
28. Chinchipe (Zamora Chinchipe)
29. The Pangui (Zamora Chinchipe)

The remaining 179 cantons are at a yellow traffic light, including the capitals of 23 provinces, except Santa Elena, whose capital and cantonal head, which is Santa Elena, is at a red light.

Thus cantons such as Cuenca, Quito, Guayaquil, Portoviejo, Santo Domingo, Babahoyo, Tulcán, Esmeraldas, Ambato, Riobamba, Tena, among others that are also provincial capitals, are at a yellow traffic light.

The capacity by color of the traffic light from January 24 to 30

In the cantons with a green traffic light, the capacity in essential activities such as markets, financial institutions and public services will be 75%. For the cantons with a yellow traffic light, the capacity will be 50%. And for the cantons with a red light, the capacity will be 30% and with time restrictions.

In public transport in the three colors of the traffic light it will be with all passengers seated.

In restaurants, cinemas, circuses and theaters, as well as in gyms, health resorts, spas and the like (without Turkish baths or saunas, the latter), the capacity at a green traffic light will be 75% indoors and 100% outdoors. At a yellow traffic light, the capacity indoors will be 50% and outdoors, 75%. While for the cantons with a red traffic light, the capacity indoors will be 30% and 50% outdoors. With the red light, home service will be prioritized.

In addition, according to the resolution of the national COE, food and drinks cannot be sold or consumed in theaters. It is not clear if the same applies to cinemas and circuses.

Bars, karaoke bars, nightclubs, tolerance centers and the like will not be able to have capacity in the cantons with a red traffic light. While for those with a yellow traffic light, the capacity will be 30% indoors and 50% outdoors. In the case of those that are at a green traffic light, the capacity in these establishments will be 75%.

For outdoor activities on beaches, parks and open spaces, the capacity is 30% for those who are at a red light. These cantons are prohibited from mass activities. On the other hand, for those who are at the yellow traffic light, the capacity is 50% in these open spaces. And for those who are at a green traffic light, the capacity is 75%.

For initial, basic and high school education, the guidelines from January 24 to 30 are: voluntary face-to-face attendance with biosafety measures in some cases, and also with established capacity and other requirements in other cases, at the three traffic lights (red, yellow and green).

Graduation ceremonies for third-year high school students may be held within educational institutions, according to the capacity established in each canton.

In the case of higher education, the Higher Education Council is asked to issue the corresponding provision to accommodate the capacity according to the guidelines of the Ministry of Public Health. Thus, at a green traffic light, face-to-face assistance will be voluntary with biosecurity measures. At yellow and red traffic lights, voluntary face-to-face assistance will be done with a maximum capacity of 2.25 m² per person.

Work in cantons by traffic light

The Minister of Labor, Patricio Donoso, assured that the national COE makes decisions responsibly and takes care of the life of the family and that of co-workers.

For this reason, in the cantons that are at a red light, only 30% capacity will be allowed to have face-to-face work and teleworking will be privileged, according to Donoso.

At a yellow traffic light, 50% face-to-face and 50% teleworking will be allowed. And in the cantons with a green traffic light, 75% will be able to go to work physically and 25% through telecommuting.

Vaccination certification with complete schedule will be requested

The presentation of the certificate or vaccination card with the complete schedule (two doses or single dose) is still mandatory for anyone over 12 years of age to enter places of attention to the public. This applies to non-essential activities, such as entering shopping centers. It does not apply or it is not mandatory to access health, education, work and other public services, it is indicated in the resolution.

The prohibition of entry to Ecuador for passengers from South Africa, Botswana, Egypt, Mozambique, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Eswatini and Namibia is also eliminated. This opens the way for those who come from these nations, provided they meet the other requirements imposed for the arrival and entry of visitors or residents who arrive in the country. (I)