News

COVID 19 UPDATES MEXICO AUGUST 2020

July 28 2020

Country-Specific Information:

  • Mexico confirmed 395,489 positive cases of COVID-19 within its borders as of July 27.  Authorities continue to investigate additional suspected cases.  The Mexican Ministry of Health (Spanish) publishes daily updates on the number of cases.
  • On April 21, the Mexican government announced the start of Phase 3 of the pandemic, meaning widespread community transmission, thousands of cases of infection, and increased numbers of patients requiring hospitalization.
  • Please see the latest information about the status of consular operations including routine appointments and emergency services.

Entry and Exit Requirements:

  • The United States and Mexico entered a joint initiative March 21 restricting non-essential travel along the U.S.-Mexico land border to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.  Non-essential travel includes travel that is considered tourism or recreational in nature.  The restrictions are in place until at least August 20. Please see the Embassy’s fact sheet for more information.
  • Travelers entering Mexico by land from the United States may be denied admission if the purpose of their visit is considered non-essential.  Travelers should carry evidence of the essential nature of their visit and evidence of their resident status in Mexico, if applicable.
  • Passengers and aircrew members arriving at Mexican airports may be subject to health screenings including temperature checks. Those exhibiting symptoms may be subject to additional health screening and/or quarantine.
  • Travelers entering Mexico via land may be subject to health screen including temperature checks.  Travelers may experience significant delays and face the possibility of being returned to the United States or quarantined in Mexico.
  • Mexican Immigration (INM) continues to provide law enforcement and public counter services across Mexico.  However, due to reduced staffing, members of the public might experience long wait times for routine services.  INM recommends monitoring its website and Twitter account for information about its current operating status.

Schools, Business, Transportation, and Government Closures:

    • On April 16, the Mexican government extended nationwide restrictions on non-essential economic activities in most municipalities until May 30.  On June 1, the Mexican government began phasing in non-essential economic activities in some states and municipalities using a national stoplight” system.  The four metrics to determine the colors in the Mexican government’s stoplight system are the trend in numbers of new cases; hospital occupancy trends; current hospital occupancy rates; and percentage of positive cases.  If one indicator is red, the whole state will be designated red.  The Mexican government updates the state-level designations every Friday, and the revisions will take effect the following Monday.  Schools in Mexico are closed.
    • Eighteen states are designated “red” under the federal stoplight system between July 27 and August 2 (Baja California Sur,  Coahuila, Colima, Hidalgo, Jalisco,  Oaxaca, Guanajuato, Nayarit, Nuevo León, Puebla, Querétaro, Quintana Roo, San Luis Potosí, Tabasco, Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Yucatán, and Zacatecas).  Under red, only essential activities are allowed.  Essential activities include: the provision of medical services and supplies, grocery delivery services, operation of grocery stores, restaurant delivery and carryout services, assurance of public safety, maintenance of fundamental economic functions and government social programs, work in critical infrastructure, construction, and manufacturing of transportation equipment.  Hotels are limited to 25% occupancy for guests working on critical activities.  Parks are also limited to 25% occupancy.
    • Fourteen states are designated “orange” under the federal system between July 27 and August 2 (Aguascalientes, Baja California, Campeche, Chihuahua, Chiapas, Durango, Guerrero, Mexico City, Mexico State, Michoacán, Morelos, Sinaloa, Sonora, and Tlaxcala).  Under orange, hotels, restaurants, barber shops, open-air parks, and gyms are limited to 50% capacity.  Markets and supermarkets will operate at 75% capacity. Additionally, shopping malls, churches, cinemas, theaters, museums, and cultural events will be limited to 25% capacity.
    • Individuals should practice good hygiene such as frequent hand washing and social distancing.  Those not involved in essential activities should self-isolate at home.  People over age 60 or with high risk medical conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, compromised immune system, pregnant, or post-partum should self-isolate at home.
    • All electoral processes, censuses, and surveys are postponed until further notice.  On March 26, the Mexican government suspended all but its essential activities.  Individual agency heads designated the activities and personnel deemed essential.
    • Hotel guests in some areas may be subject to occupancy limits or asked to provide an employer letter certifying the essential nature of their business.  Hotel guests showing respiratory symptoms will be referred to health authorities.  As a reminder, the U.S. government does not pay for lodging or other expenses incurred due to travel disruptions abroad.
    • Some states and municipalities have implemented additional restrictions on public gatherings, transportation, business operations, and government operations if health conditions warrant and/or developed separate stoplight systems from those at the federal level.  Several states and municipalities have imposed curfews and movement restrictions on non-essential activities and have required citizens to wear masks when outside the home.  In some areas, officials may issue fines and/or arrest and detain individuals found to be in violation of stay at home orders.  Please see additional information on these restrictions and links to state COVID-19 websites in the “Local Resources” section below.  This information is not comprehensive and is subject to change without notice.  Please confirm directly with government and other trusted sources for more information on closures and restrictions in different Mexican states and municipalities.
    Quarantine and Healthcare Information:
  • The Mexican government encourages people to continue respecting social distancing measures, washing their hands, and coughing or sneezing in the inner part of the elbow to prevent the spread of COVID-19.  A variety of prevention measures can be found at https://coronavirus.gob.mx
  • The symptoms of COVID-19 (such as fever, cough, headaches, throat pain, or constant sneezing) are very similar to other respiratory diseases.  If you have mild symptoms call your usual health care provider or call the Mexican government’s hotline at 800-0044-800 or 55-5658-1111 in order to receive advice to determine whether to stay home or seek medical attention.  If you or someone in your family has difficulty breathing, please go to the emergency room or call 911 immediately.
  • Individuals who were in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 and present symptoms of respiratory illness should follow the instructions above.  It is advisable to remain in quarantine for 14 days to prevent spreading the disease to other people.
  • If you are experiencing fear, anxiety, or emotional isolation, please call the Mexican government’s hotline at 800-911-2000 for advice and support.
  • For U.S. citizens returning to the United States from Mexico and all other foreign locations, the CDC recommends you self-quarantine for 14 days.

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