Ecuador unlikely to reimpose lockdown: health minister

QUITO - Ecuador is unlikely to reimpose a nationwide lockdown despite an increasing COVID-19 infection rate, said Vice Minister of Health Xavier Solorzano on Sunday.

His remarks came the same day as a state of emergency imposed since Dec. 21 was declared unconstitutional.

The 30-day state of emergency, which included a daily curfew and restrictions on mobility, drinking and hospitality industry, could have a strong adverse effect on the economy as well as people's mental health, Solorzano said in a television interview.

Following the Constitutional Court's ruling, Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno said that the government will continue to apply measures within its reach to save lives.

Ecuador has registered over 214,600 COVID-19 cases and 9,495 confirmed deaths as of Sunday.

The country was expected to begin a vaccination program this month, said Moreno.