After having carefully and continuously maintained its borders open to tourism for the past eight months, Ecuador has again surprised observers by confirming that by the end of May 2021, the entire adult population of the Galapagos Islands will have ben be vaccinated against Covid-19, giving yet another nod to the tourism industry.
To continue promoting safe tourism in Ecuador, last Friday the country’s authorities announced an agreement with the Pfizer laboratory. The pharmaceutical giant is now in a position to guarantee the supply of all doses necessary to fully inoculate the entire adult population of the Galapagos archipelago.
This campaign, which will be completed by the end of May, will include all those involved in the tourism industry, such as the staffs of hotels and restaurants, local operators, guides and, of course, the crews of cruise ships sailing the waters of Galapagos National Park. As a welcome consequence, it is expected that by June, the Galapagos Islands will become a Covid-free bubble, thus ensuring the safety and health of those who visit.
Since mid-August 2020, Ecuador opened its borders to tourism, though strict precautions such as proof of having a negative PCR test were required. Additionally, as of March 22, 2021, for travelers in mainland Ecuador, the requirement of a negative PCR test result was eliminated for those able to present a vaccination card certifying the receipt of a complete dosage against Covid-19; this gave travelers the option of presenting either antigen test results or PCR test results. (In either case, though, the maximum validity of the antigen certification or a PCR document is three [3] days between taking the test and arrival in the country).
Concerning the Galapagos Islands, local authorities continue to demand the presentation of a negative PCR test result, though the test can be taken as much as 96 hours (4 days) before embarkation onto the archipelago. As one option, these authorities are allowing the results of the same PCR test taken in one’s country of origin for entering the Galapagos Islands, provided that the required deadlines are respected and the results of the test are sent to the relevant authorities electronically prior to the traveler’s trip to the Galapagos. Alternatively, it is possible to take a PCR test in practically any city in Ecuador and to receive the results within 24 hours; if you choose this tack, Surtrek will take care of all the logistics involved in order to ensure your comfort and safety.
In these ways, vacationers arriving in Ecuador will be free of any quarantines, curfews, or any other restrictions on movement within the country. For this reason, Ecuador continues to establish itself as the leading destination on the South American continent in offering its visitors its full range of comforts and conveniences for enjoying an extraordinary and diverse destination, while safely traveling during a pandemic. Without a doubt, Ecuador remains an outstanding destination for those seeking pristine landscapes, exotic wildlife, and a vibrant cultural mix for their long-awaited summer getaway.
If you have questions about current measures related to travel to or within Ecuador, or should you receive a proposal or a budget, you can contact me at info@surtrek.com
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Alfonso Tandazo
Surtrek CEO
