PRESS RELEASE
Stay up-to-date with the latest Coronavirus news and Mexico travel information. As the world closely monitors the widely talked about Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), a new strain of virus found in humans that can causes from mild to severe respiratory diseases, keep checking back on this post for travel-related Coronavirus updates and information on travel to Mexico.
UPDATE: January 13th, 2021
COVID-19 Pre-departure Testing
Effective as of January 26, 2021, airline passengers boarding flights to the United States from Mexico must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test result taken no earlier than 72 hours prior to departure. On January 7th, the Government of Canada put this same mandate into effect. For guests with a future stay planned at any of TAFER Hotels & Resorts´ properties, we are offering discounted on-site COVID-19 pre-departure tests that are guaranteed to be ready prior to guest departure. Testing can be scheduled and paid for upon check-in.
The U.S.-Mexico land border, which has been closed for non-essential travel since March 21, 2020, is expected to reopen again on January 21, 2021.
UPDATE: November 30, 2020
According to the Mexican authorities, tourist destinations such as Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta and Cancun have had a considerable decrease in the number of COVID-19 infections, thanks to the health and sanitization measures that were implemented by the government. Mexico introduced a traffic light system consisting of four colors (green, yellow, orange, and red) to indicate the severity of the pandemic in each state from low to maximum. The color green represents a low level of cases and red represents the maximum number of cases. The government is hopeful that soon they will be able to turn the traffic control light to green in Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, and Los Cabos. This low-level health alert will be great news for the local population and, of course, for foreigners looking to vacation over the upcoming holiday season in one of these popular beach destinations.
UPDATE: September 8, 2020
On September 8, 2020, the U.S. Department of State downgraded the Travel Advisory for Mexico from Level 4: Do Not Travel to Level 3: Reconsider Travel. The advisory has been eased for most states apart from Colima, Guerrero, Michoacán, Tamaulipas and Sinaloa. Tourists are encouraged to keep checking back for the latest Coronavirus updates on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website prior to traveling. The State Department also provides a list of travel tips including keeping friends informed about your travel itinerary, avoiding displays of wealth with expensive items such as jewelry, and preparing a contingency plan in case of emergencies, along with some other tips. Older adults and people with underlying medical conditions are still advised to postpone travel.
UPDATE: April 24, 2020
Health Alert
- International commercial flight options currently exist in Mexico. U.S. citizens who wish to return to the United States should make commercial arrangements as soon as possible unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period. The U.S. government does not anticipate arranging repatriation flights in Mexico at this time.
Country-Specific Information:
- Mexico confirmed 15,529 positive cases of COVID-19 within its borders as of April 27. Authorities continue to investigate additional suspected cases. The Mexican Ministry of Health (Spanish) publishes daily Coronavirus 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.
UPDATE: April 21, 2020
The Mexican government is implementing the following measures until May 30 in most municipalities.
- The Mexican Ministry of Education has closed all schools from March 20 until May 30 in most municipalities.
- The Mexican government is implementing the following measures until May 30 in most municipalities.
- Suspension of non-essential activities in the public, private, and social sectors. Essential activities include medical services and supplies, public safety, fundamental economic functions, government social programs, and critical infrastructure.
- Suspension of meetings of 100 participants or greater.
- Practice good hygiene such as frequent hand washing and social distancing.
- Voluntary home isolation by all those not involved in essential activities.
- Strict home isolation of persons over age 60 or with high risk medical conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, compromised immune system, pregnant, or post-partum.
- The Mexican government will issue guidelines for staggered and regional returns to work, economic, and social activities.
- All electoral processes, censuses, and surveys are postponed until further notice.
- All measures will be implemented with strict adherence to human rights.
UPDATE: April 16, 2020
Entry and Exit Requirements: Health authorities in several Mexican border states are discouraging all visitors from traveling to Mexico over the Easter week.
- Beyond standard travel documentation, travelers to Mexico do not require any additional documentation to enter or exit.
UPDATE: April 01, 2020
Entry and Exit Requirements:
- Authorities of the state of Nuevo Leon are conducting mandatory health screening of travelers arriving from the United States. Travelers should expect significant delays and face the possibility of being forced to return to the United States or being kept in quarantine in Mexico.
- Authorities in Sonora began temperature checks of southbound pedestrians and motorists at the San Luis Río Colorado, Nogales, and Agua Prieta ports of entry. Such screenings might be conducted at other ports of entry for Mexico-bound travelers.
UPDATE: March 30, 2020
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.
UPDATE: March 26, 2020
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.
- 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.
UPDATE: March 18, 2020
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.
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.
UPDATE: March 12, 2020
Country-Specific Information: Mexico confirmed 12 positive cases of COVID-19 within its borders as of March 12. Additional suspected cases continue to be investigated. Updates on the number of cases are published daily by the Mexican Ministry of Health(Spanish).
COVID-19 Information – https://mx.usembassy.gov/
We understand that COVID-19 is a big concern for travelers right now and many people are wondering how this worldwide outbreak will affect their upcoming trips. If you are thinking about cancelling your travel plans to Mexico, we would like to reassure visitors that there are currently no restrictions in place to travel to Mexico and travelers do not require any additional documentation to enter/exit beyond standard travel documentation.
For the cases of COVID-19 that have been confirmed in Mexico, the Ministry of Health has acted in accordance with the protocols established by the World Health Organization (WHO) and adheres to strict international guidelines related to the prevention, detection, and treatment of diseases.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides travel-related advice and recommendations for postponing or canceling non-essential travel based on health risks. The CDC has so far only issued travel notices for visitors to: China, Iran, Japan, Italy, South Korea and Hong Kong.
Tafer Hotels & Resorts takes the health and well-being of all our guests very seriously and will keep advising you on the latest Coronavirus updates, but currently there is no reason for travelers to cancel their travel plans to Mexico.
As recommended by the CDC, if you travel, take the following standard precautions to prevent the spread of this disease: avoid contact with anyone who is showing signs of coughing and sneezing, cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, wash your hands regularly or use antibacterial gel in the absence of handwashing facilities, and do not consume raw or undercooked meat or eggs.
More detailed information and travel safety tips can be found online at:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html
If you suspect you might have the virus, you are advised to contact the COVID-19 hotline at 1-800-525-0127, seek medical attention, and self-isolate.
We hope that you stay safe and we look forward to welcoming you soon at your home away from home!
