UPDATE - October 2, 2010 9:10 AM
We are pleased to report that the return to normalcy communicated yesterday continues, both within Quito and Ecuador. The police are returning to work, the airport continues to be open, and roads previously closed have been opened. An updated message from the U.S. Embassy in Quito can be found here http://ecuador.usembassy.gov/service.html.
Even though the city and country continue to return to normal, we are advising students to take caution in the city over the weekend. While students are not allowed to travel outside Quito, they may leave their homestays during the day today and tomorrow with fellow students or their homestay families. However, they must return to their homestays by night fall and remain there throughout the evening hours. Students have also been reminded that they must not participate in any demonstrations or protests.
We have been informed that local Universities in Quito will re-open on Monday, October 4. As such, IES Abroad classes will resume as scheduled on Monday, October 4 as well.
Our staff in Quito have communicated these details to students.
In consultation with our global security firm and IES Abroad Quito staff, we continue to monitor the situation in Quito and will provide updates, when appropriate.
October 1, 2010 at 12:10 pm
This is an update on the situation in Quito and Ecuador.
The IES Abroad global consulting firm reports that Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa has returned to the presidential palace and has re-exerted control over the government. The banks are open, government offices are open, the airport has reopened, and local universities are expecting to reopen on Monday.
All IES Abroad students remain with their homestay families. Gladys Argoti, the IES Abroad Quito student services coordinator, has spoken to each student and a member of each homestay family to reiterate that students are to remain at home. Students have also been told that they are not to travel this weekend.
IES Abroad classes will reopen once university classes have done so.
This is a fluid situation. IES Abroad Chicago remains in close consultation both with our global security consulting firm and the IES Abroad Quito staff.
Please contact the Dean of Students Office at 800.995.2300 with any questions or concerns.
September 30, 2010 3:29 pm
This is an update on the civil unrest that is currently occurring in Ecuador. At this time, the police are on strike and there are reports of demonstrations and roads being blocked in Quito and other Ecuadorian cities.
All IES Abroad students are accounted for and have returned to their homestays. The IES Abroad Quito staff has instructed all students to stay in their homestays.
All university and IES Abroad classes have been cancelled at this time. IES Abroad classes have been canceled for tomorrow and will resume when other Quito educational institutions reopen.
Students have received information about the strike from the U.S. Embassy. In its message, the Embassy reminds all U.S. citizens to avoid demonstrations, especially as any non-Ecuadorian participating in a protest can be subject to arrest and deportation under Ecuadorian law.
In addition, the IES Abroad Quito staff has asked students to be in contact with their parents, and advised students to stay away from all demonstrations or protests.
At this time, emergency services, including hospitals, continue to function as normal.
We are in constant contact with our Quito Center Director and are closely monitoring the situation.
