Canada shares travel advisory update for South American destination
If you have plans to travel from Canada to Ecuador soon, a new travel advisory update is warning tourists of a possible safety risk.
On March 13, the Government of Canada updated its travel advice for Ecuador due to heavy rainfall that could disrupt your travel plans.
“Heavy rainfall across Ecuador has triggered flooding, landslides, and significant damage to roads and infrastructure,” reads the statement.
The local government issued a nationwide state of emergency, along with regional states of emergency in several provinces, including Chimborazo, El Oro, Esmeraldas, Guayas, Loja, Los Ríos, Manabí, and Santa Elena.
Canadians in Ecuador are urged to monitor local media and government websites to stay on top of the latest news. As of March 16, authorities have been updating the public on road closures in the affected areas. According to updates, some roads are either closed or partially open due to damage, landslides, sinkholes, or flooding.
During heavy rains, make sure to identify safe locations to shelter and to stay away from flooded areas that are under red alert or prone to landslides. Also, follow the instructions of local authorities, including evacuation orders.
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The National Secretariat for Risk Management website also provides detailed advice on how to prepare for possible emergency situations.
Canada also recently published an update on March 6, announcing curfews and a state of emergency in various provinces due to gang violence.
“Ecuador is in a state of ‘internal armed conflict,'” reads the update. “There is an increased presence of security forces to contain gang violence across the country, including in Guayaquil and Quito.”
The L.A. Times reports that, in a joint operation with the U.S., the Ecuadorian military is launching a major military offensive against criminal organizations in three “violence-plagued” western provinces.
Canadians travelling abroad are urged to sign up for the Registration of Canadians Abroad (ROCA), a free and confidential service that notifies Canadian citizens outside the country of an emergency abroad or a personal emergency at home.