JDiver

NOTE: USA-México land border is closed to non-essential,travelers.

March 23, 2020 US Embassy and Consulates in MexicoCountry-Specific Information:

• Mexico confirmed 316 positive cases of COVID-19 within its borders as of March 22. Authorities continue to investigate additional suspected cases. The Mexican Ministry of Health (Spanish)publishes daily updates on the number of cases.
• The Mexican government’s COVID-19 planning and preparation is based on three scenarios:

1. Scenario One: COVID-19 cases are travel related (travel from abroad).
2. Scenario Two: Community-based transmission of COVID-19 begins and case numbers are in the hundreds.
3. Scenario Three: COVID-19 transmission becomes widespread; case numbers are in the thousands.

• The Mexican government assesses Mexico is currently in Scenario One but transitioning into Scenario Two; they expect to enter Scenario Two by the end of March or earlier.
• CONSULAR OPERATIONS: Please see the latest information about the status of consular operations including routine appointments and emergency services.
• For more information on border operations and possible travel disruptions, please see our message to U.S. citizens.

Entry and Exit Requirements:

• There are no entry or exit restrictions in place because of COVID-19.
• Mexico has implemented temperature-screening measures at some of its airports. Passengers with abnormal temperatures and travel to high-risk areas might be subject to additional health screening.
• Beyond standard travel documentation, travelers to Mexico do not require any additional documentation to enter or exit.

Schools, Business, Transportation, and Government Closures

• The Mexican Ministry of Education has closed all schools from March 20 until April 20.
• Between March 23 and April 19, the Mexican government has declared a social-distancing campaign consisting of four pillars.

1. Take basic preventative measures: wash your hands, avoid handshakes and kisses, and stay home if you are sick.
2. Suspend non-essential public-sector, private-sector, and social activities. Employees who can telework should do so. Public transit will remain operational.
3. Organizers of large events with more than 5,000 attendees will reschedule or postpone them.
4. Protect the elderly and vulnerable.

Quarantine and Healthcare Information:

• There are no mandatory quarantine policies currently in effect in Mexico for confirmed or suspected cases. The Mexican government encourages people experiencing the symptoms of COVID-19, fever, cough, headaches, throat pain, or constant sneezing, to stay at home for 14 days, consult with, and comply with the instructions of your local healthcare provider.
• The Mexican government recommends individuals not self-present to seek testing for COVID-19. Those with severe symptoms should seek medical attention and medical professionals will test, if needed based on travel history, contact with a known case, and the individual’s risk group. Medical professionals will prescribe actions as necessary; including medication to manage symptoms as no specific therapeutics or vaccine exist for COVID-19.
• Travelers who return from a country with local transmission of COVID-19 and develop symptoms of respiratory illness should seek immediate medical attention and share their travel history.
• The same applies to individuals who were in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 and present symptoms of respiratory illness.

Local Resources:

• Health advice for travelers seeking information is available at ports of entry.
• Call the Mexican Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 hotline at 800 0044 800 for information or medical attention. English language operators are sometimes, but not always, available.

Other links:

• Mexico Ministry of Health Information for the General Public (Spanish)
• Mexico Ministry of Health Information for Health Care Providers (Spanish)
• Mexico Travel Health Notices (Spanish)
• Mexican Ministry of Health Daily Updates (Spanish)
• COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov
• CDC page on COVID-19
• state.gov Country Information and Travel Advisory
• DHS Fact Sheet on Arrival Restrictions to the United States from China, Iran, and Schengen Countries of Europe

Assistance:

• For Emergency Assistance for U.S. citizens in Mexico, call 1-800-681-9374 from Mexico or 1-844-528-6611 from the United States.
• The U.S. Embassy in Mexico City is located at:
  Paseo de la Reforma 305
  Colonia Cuauhtémoc
  06500, Ciudad de México
  Phone: +52-55-5080-2000
  Fax: +52-55-5080-2005
  E-Mail: [email protected]
• State Department – Consular Affairs: 888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
• Follow the U.S. Embassy in Mexico on Facebook and Twitter.
• Review the Crime and Safety Reports for Mexico.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.

By U.S. Mission to Mexico | 23 March, 2020 | Topics: Alert, Emergency Services, News, Security & Emergency Messages, U.S. & Mexico | Tags: COVID-19, Mexico

JDiver

Most reports are Mexicans are not practicing social distancing. Festivals, weddings, social events, etc. are still going on. People are frequently misinformed and are resorting to quackery to protect themselves, e.g. washing eyes, rinsing mouth and gargling with colloidal silver four times a day. Tests for the novel Coronavirus are not available at all, in most cases. Some doctors have claimed there’s no such thing as a Covid-19, it’s a conspiracy theory or disinformation propaganda by or against the deeply controversial president “AMLO”. Sanitation at higher levels is not widely practiced. Awareness is at the level where the most recent Covid-19 awareness document published for public information by Mexico’s National health ministry dates to January.

There is evidence of Covid-19 in Mexico, but it’s hazy because of the lack of awareness and testing. An example would be Mexicans who infected several people upon their return from Italy; one Canadian was infected and in turn infected several people when they returned home to Canada.

Ironically, the Mexican government is considering implementing a ban on people entering Mexico from the USA.



Personally, I can not at all recommend travel to México at the moment.

david55

I wrote a similar post yesterday and posted it here but deleted it this morning. Things are changing by the hour. My reference is San Miguel de Allende where we have a home. Up until a few days ago I was considered an alarmist to my friends in SMA as events were not canceled and it was business as usual. In the last 36 hours things have changed dramatically in the gringo population with cancellation of nearly all cultural events and gathering. The Mexicans were a bit slow to embrace the seriousness of all this...but as of last night all schools are closed effective Mar 20-Apr 20 and all government sponsored events canceled immediately. Part of my post yesterday was an encounter that a gringa had with a Mexican DR in town. She and her guests were sick and presented all the signs of a virus. Two of her guests had just returned from Italy. They summoned a DR who came to the house w/o any protection and proceeded to tell them the virus was a hoax.....he left after she kicked him. God help his next patient. Meanwhile her two guests returned to Canada and were tested for the virus ( waiting for results now).

I agree DO NOT travel to Mexico now. All my friends who have homes both in the States and in San Miguel are coming back to the States immediately.

JDiver

i have to agree. My sister, relatives, friends are confused and concerned. Some are trying to do the right thing, but there’s little guidance, and others are doing what they might thing is right. That can mean huddling with extended family, the grandchildren and children coming to visit the grandparents, going to Mass today, etc.

Thanks for sharing.

JDiver

It’s worse than I imagined. A friend from childhood who lives in CdMx says

RFNJ

I am in close contact with people in Acapulco - which just had its first reported case. And other parts of Guerrero. Some of my friends have taken precautions and are preparing for staying at home. Many however have not grasped the potential seriousness of the situation. I did hear that the Catholic church is suspending masses, and will not do baptisms, quinceneras or other events at this time, and are trying to communicate the message of social distancing.

Eastbay1K

Unfortunately, Mexico is setting itself up to make Italy seem like a mere blip on the infectious disease screen.

RFNJ

An interesting thing - the catholic church is trying to do what they can. I can only speak for Guerrero, but they circulated an announcement with information, and are not doing public events like masses or baptisms and are trying to instruct their followers to follow good hygiene routines like hand washing.

Acapulco is in a bit of a panic, and the government is doing poorly on a local level. The mayor said everything no essential is closed, and dont go to the beach, then walked it back to say it was only a suggestion. Then all the vendors marched and closed down the costera. The supermarkets are suffering from the same panic buying as we are seeing in the US. I am concerned as Mexico does not have the same resources as the US to help its citizens, and even less now that the Saudis and Russians have cratered the price of oil. So there is going to be serious consequences in the country.

thunderdeacon

I have a short vacation planned in Chiapas for next week. I am scheduled to fly OKC-DFW-MEX-TGZ on AA and Interjet on 3/24 and return on 3/28. My entire Ticket is AA stock with codeshare flights to TGZ. I plan on staying in San Cristobal de las Casas. I know I probably should not go, but I am having trouble getting specifics on the new non-essential travel restrictions being put in place between the USA and Mexico. Is this only at actual border crossings, or is it being enforced at airports also? Would Mexico even allow me entry at MEX airport?

david55

I hope this is a joke.

Section 107

The newly announced restrictions are for non-essential travel across land border crossings and for ferry and passenger rail.

Passenger travel by air is still permitted. https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-insp...2020-06253.pdf

You know you should not go. Your "short" vacation might turn out to be 2 weeks of quarantine upon arrival in Mexico followed by two weeks of quarantine upon arrival back in the US.

RFNJ

Can't speak for AA/Interjet, but Aeromexico is making massive cancellations and reductions in future service until mid/late april, both in International and Domestic routes. If you go, be absolutely be prepared to be stuck there, potentially until this blows over in Mexico - which will be an easy 2-3 weeks past the US timeline, which is at this point, still undetermined.
The current reductions/cancellations are "first steps" - there is nothing preventing more drastic "no-one in or out" scenarios in the next two weeks as governments scramble to control this issue. I am not trying to be alarmist. I am simply seeing 1/3 of the US population already under shelter in place/voluntary restriction - as a FIRST step. I would strongly advise unless there is great need to be somewhere else, you wait this out at home.

thunderdeacon

Thank you for this smart advice. I made the decision to cancel my ticket and use the credit to re-book for a trip to Campeche in January. The AA agent was so nice and helpful. Best wishes to everyone in these crazy times. Despite my heartbreak, I feel good about making the right decision....and making sure I don't get caught up in what could be a massive humanitarian situation in Mexico.

ijkh

Today at PVR. So glad we left Tuesday. Yikes.

david55

Are you saying there were that many tourists still in PV flying home? What are they thinking? ( Or not)