Cuenca Goes Red: Ministry Declares Special Work Schedule for Today's Copa Sudamericana Debut

The City Is Ready

Cuenca woke up in red today. The Ministry of Labor has declared a special work schedule for the city to accommodate Deportivo Cuenca's historic Copa Sudamericana debut against Santos FC this afternoon.

Over 200 fans gathered to send off the team ahead of the match, and the streets around the stadium area are already showing signs of the controlled chaos that comes with a major international football event.

Match Reminder

• Kickoff: 5:00 PM today (Wednesday, April 8)
• Venue: Estadio Alejandro Serrano Aguilar
• Broadcast: ESPN, Disney+, DSports, DGO
• Group D opponents: Santos (Brazil), San Lorenzo (Argentina), Recoleta (Paraguay)

The Work Schedule

The Ministry of Labor's declaration means employers in Cuenca are expected to accommodate workers who want to attend or watch the match. In practice, this usually means:

• Shortened afternoon hours — many businesses will close early or let staff leave by 3-4 PM
• Government offices may operate on reduced schedules this afternoon
• Banks and formal businesses will likely follow the directive
• Restaurants, bars, and service businesses near the stadium will be doing the opposite — extending hours and staffing up

What to Expect in the City

If you weren't already planning around this match, here's the reality:

• Traffic near the stadium has been restricted since yesterday. Avoid that area unless you're going to the match
• The tranvía is your best bet for getting around this afternoon. At $0.35 it's cheap, and it bypasses the road closures
• Centro historico will be quieter than usual during the match (everyone's watching), then packed immediately after as fans flood out
• Restaurants and bars with TVs will be standing-room-only by 4 PM. If you want a seat, get there early
• Expect noise after the match — horns, fireworks, celebrations (hopefully). Cuenca doesn't get many nights like this

This is Cuenca at its best — a city united behind its team for a moment that matters. Whether you're at the stadium, at a bar, or watching from home, enjoy the atmosphere.

Source: El Mercurio