Alert: Update on Electrical Outages, Water Rationing, and Curfews
Location: Nationwide
Event: The Ecuadorian government continues to implement daily electrical outages and water rationing across multiple provinces of Ecuador due to the presence of a severe drought and energy crisis, with exact schedules varying based on geographic location. Electrical outage and water rationing schedules are available on each service provider’s website. Schedules posted on service provider websites may not be exact and outages may be intermittent and unpredictable.
Separately, nighttime curfews from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. are in effect in the provinces of Guayas, Los Rios, Manabi, Orellana, Santa Elena, El Oro and the canton of Camilo Ponce Enriquez in Azuay province. Monitor government sources for the most up-to-date information on your location and changes to curfew hours. Travel to and from the airports is permitted during curfew hours for individuals with a scheduled flight. U.S. citizens traveling to or from the airport in an area with a curfew should carry their flight itinerary and passport.
We remind U.S. citizens to comply with all curfews, local laws, and the Department of State’s Travel Advisoryfor Ecuador. U.S. citizen residents and travelers should expect heavy military and police presence throughout Ecuador. Be aware that power outages may affect traffic lights, emergency response, power in buildings (including elevators) that do not have independent generators, cellular service, and the internet. U.S. citizens should exercise caution during electrical outages, especially during periods of darkness, including taking measures to protect personal safety. We recommend planning for power outages by stocking up on essential items, such as food, water, medical supplies, and other personal items, and keeping battery-powered appliances charged and vehicles fueled.
Actions to Take:
- IMPORTANT: On September 16, 2024, the Department of State launched a new version of the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). To continue receiving alerts, re-enroll at step.state.gov.
- Read previous security alerts at ec.usembassy.gov.
- Monitor announcements from the Ministry of Energy and Mines for information about electrical outages in your area.
- For information about outages in Quito, visit https://www.eeq.com.ec/.
- For information about outages in Guayaquil, visit https://www.cnelep.gob.ec/.
- Check your flight status for airports in Quito and Guayaquil.
- Monitor ECU911 for information on road closures.
- Track official communications from the Government of Ecuador and Ecuador.Travel for additional information and updates.
- Follow credible media sources for accurate information on electrical outages and curfew requirements.
- Consult the Ministry of Tourism’s recommendations for safe travel.
- Review the Travel Advisory and safety and security information for Ecuador at Travel.State.Gov.
- Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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