209 Ecuadorians abroad are infected with coronavirus, 27 have died

The assembly members consider that other options should be given so that the Government does not enter into expenses of compatriots stranded abroad.

The Undersecretary for Human Mobility of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Carlos Velasteguí, informed the National Assembly Commission of Sovereignty, Integration, International Relations and Security that 209 Ecuadorians residing outside the country are infected with COVID-19 and 27 have died .

Of that group, 173 are in Italy, 12 in Spain and a similar number in Chile. In addition, six are in the United States, two in Cuba and a similar number in Great Britain.

During the telematic appearance, the official pointed out that among those affected by the coronavirus are 26 diplomatic officials from the different embassies, one of whom died.

Velasteguí explained that the Foreign Ministry is also helping Ecuadorians stranded abroad who signed up to return to the country, so that they can access a humanitarian flight as around 2,400 travelers have done through 28 flights.

He indicated that the conditions of the disease are changing, which has motivated them to extend the benefit to vulnerable groups to facilitate the repatriation of Ecuadorian citizens.

He explained that at the beginning of the health crisis 8,171 Ecuadorians from different parts of the world were registered, but currently he said that everything depends on the flights being enabled because most airports are not operational.

For the legislators it is important that the Chancellery and the Ministry of Health are properly organized so that they have enough hotels and other centers so that compatriots comply with the mandatory isolation.

They asked that detailed reports be issued on the measures adopted with this group of Ecuadorians, as well as that other alternatives be given so that citizens can return without the need for the Government to bear the expenses.

Source: Sovereignty, Integration, International Relations and Integral Security Commission of the Assembly, El Telégrafo, Ecuavisa, Twitter, social networks