Coronavirus: the army deployed in the streets of Quito to enforce the curfew

Text by: Eric Samson

After Brazil, Ecuador is the second country most affected by the Covid-19 pandemic in South America. On Saturday, the official death toll was 318 dead, 172 confirmed and 146 likely. With mandatory confinement now in its third week, hundreds of traders started a riot on Friday outside the wholesale market. The army was called to the rescue to enforce containment. Report.

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From our correspondent in Quito,

2:00 p.m. is the start of the curfew and the popular Ferroviaria district is deserted. General Ronny Ramirez, military commander of Quito welcomes this:

“ Here in Quito, people are now aware of the seriousness of the situation and the risks of contagion. I would say that 99% respect the curfew as it should ”.

General Ramírez's men patrol every day to detect this 1% reluctant to containment . Very quickly, two men and a woman are controlled in the street by Major Fabara.

“ They admit that they don't respect the curfew. We searched them and obviously they drank. We are going to send them home , ”said the soldier.

Further on, a completely drunk man is lying unconscious on the asphalt. Nearby, a man fell from his motorcycle. Alcohol, again and again, which exasperates Professor Santiago Fabara: “ There are still a few people who do not respect the curfew. We don't tell them anything because we're afraid of reprisals. They are often delinquents who still pass through the neighborhood ”.

Yet violating the curfew can be expensive: $ 100 the first time, from one to three years in prison from the third offense.

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• Coronavirus
• Ecuador
• Health and Medicine
• Containment

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