Status: Yellow alert

Volcano status: In eruptive process

Internal activity: High

Surface activity: Moderate

Yesterday night, the volcano remained cover, emissions with west direction were observed. At the moment, the volcano presents a gas column, of low ash content, with a height lower than 200 meters above the crater level, with west direction. No rain or volcanic dust were reported in nearby towns.

Recommendations

The Ministry of Tourism advices tourists and tour operators to remain alert to guidelines and recommendations provided by the Ministry of Security Coordination (www.seguridad.gob.ec)

Accommodation:

The Ministry of Tourism visited affected areas with staff of the Secretary of Risk Management, Geophysical Institute and Municipality of Mejia. According to the Geophysical Institute Technical Report, Cotopaxipungo, Santa Ana del Pedregal, Hacienda El Porvenir, Secret Garden and Restaurant Ruta de los Volcanes are suitable to operate normally. While for Los Mortiños, Restaurant 4 volcanes, Chilcabamba and Mauca Pedregal suggested operating hours are from 06:00 to 17:00. In the specific case of Tambopaxi located within the Cotopaxi National Park, which has been closed for precaution, can only operate under the authorization of the Ministry of Environment. Pastocalle, Tanicuchi, Toacazo and nearby towns as Lasso and Mulaló at Cotopaxi province are directly or indirectly benefit by the operation of these establishments, in which more than 60 people of the zone had found their jobs and daily support. For further information, visit: http://bit.ly/1JWR6eF

Flights

Local airports are open and operating normally, including Latacunga Airport. For further information, please visit:http://www.aviacioncivil.gob.ec/

Roads

The country’s roadways are operating normally. To learn more about the current state of roadways, visit: http://www.obraspublicas.gob.ec/mapa-estado-de-carreteras-ecuador/

Railways
Ferrocarriles del Ecuador EP (Ecuadorian Railways Company) has modified some of their routes. For more information visit: http://trenecuador.com/ferrocarrilesdelecuador/

Tourism in Ecuador

The 2015 current patent operators developing their tourist activitities in the Cotopaxi National Park may operate in: Cayambe Coca National Park, Chimborazo Wildlife Production Reserve, Antisan Ecological Reserve, Sangay National Park, Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve and Cotacachi Cayapas Ecological Reserve. For more information, visit:http://areasprotegidas.ambiente.gob.ec/

ECU911 smartphone application

Download the application for free. This facilitates emergency care across the country, through the geo-referenced location of the incident, by smartphones. For further information, visit: www.ecu911.gob.ec/aplicacionparacelulares/

To be informed about the volcano situation, visit: www.volcancotopaxi.com (here you will find a Tourism section with useful information for the tourism industry), or on social networks like #VolcánCotopaxi. In addition, you can visit the official page of the Ministry of Security Coordination: www.seguridad.gob.ec

Approved by: Ministry of Safety Coordination