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

sikorloa

I'm a US citizen going to school in Guadalajara, Mexico - today we were told all school are shut down until April 20th, or further notice.

My dad is 66 and alone in San Diego, just worried I wouldn't be able to get to him to help if something happened, which is why I'm asking.

I was planning to fly back on April 2nd to visit family in San Diego, but am wondering if it's very risky to wait that long to return to the US?

I would be flying Guadalajraa - Tijuana and then crossing the CBX into San Diego.

Would it be much wiser to fly out this week?

Or is it unlikely they will shut down the US-Mexico border (or domestic Mexican flights) and I could wait till April 2nd or so?

maxjasper

I suggest that you consider one other option as well: stay in Mexico and use this period for a nice holiday, catch up with some assignments and course, have a nice excursion around the region,...until further decisions are made by authorities making the unpredictable situation a bit more clear.

sikorloa

True, I'm just worried about my dad though, he's alone in san diego and he's 66 - I would totally stay otherwise, but I'm just worried about that factor tbh - was just wondering how much time I have to come back. Was planning on April 2nd either way, but not sure how fast things are going to change here.

david55

Mexico is in some denial about this virus. In the last 24 ours only have I seen any protocals and cancellations inacted.. The hospitals are ill equipped and in a town where we have a home ( San Miguel de Allende) ex-pats were warned a week ago that should they get out as soon as they can as Mexico will not be able to save their lives should they get sick. There is no " vacation" in Mexico at this time.... it is quickly shutting down ( thank god) to match what other countries are doing. This was sent to a forum I belong to....I cannot vouch for its accuracy.

sikorloa

Oh wow thank you for that. So this Wednesday (March 18) might even be too late to come back??

MSPeconomist

My suggestion, especially since your school is closed and there's no reason to stay in Mexico, would be to get yourself over the border ASAP, even if you land or cross no where near San Diego.

There are lots of reasons, but as someone said above, if you get sick, you do not want to be at the mercy of Mexico's medical system as a foreigner, even if you speak Mexican Spanish fluently.

ps1510

Flew out of GDL to IAH Houston and back home to NY Friday afternoon; things were OK then, but I think waiting until April is a mistake....and I think the powers that be wd like nothing better than more restrictions on MX.

wh6cto

I think the school reopening April 20 is extremely optimistic. The CDC recommend (yesterday) an 8-week period of closures in the US. Unless their healthcare is better than ours, it won't be back to normal any sooner in Mexico.

IMHO, your risk of getting the virus increases the longer you wait to travel. And it may become mandatory to isolate yourself for two weeks (away from family) once you get back to the US. Sooner is better.

Even if you get back right away, it might be prudent to hole up somewhere alone for a few days, and see if there's any reports of flare-ups in the area you were or traveled thru. Considering your dad is older, it would be really bad if you have it and pass it to him.

Good luck!

notquiteaff

seconded. OP, look at the capacity reductions and airline shutdowns (100% temporary (?) shutdown of operation) of global airlines:

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/32195299-post11.html

sikorloa

Thanks for your reply - do you think waiting till Wednesday would be a bad idea? I can try to fly out tomorrow.

I would be staying with my dad so not sure how I would hole up for a few days, but maybe I can stay in a different room? Wouldn't have a place to hole up, every option would include staying at a relatives place, but thinking about how to do that - good point.