Mexico: Authorities to update COVID-19-related state-level restrictions May 24 /update 42

Event

Officials in Mexico have updated their state-level restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19, which will have 16 states at the green level, corresponding to the least restrictions. The new state-level restrictions will be effective as of May 24. No state will be in red, the highest level of restrictions, and only one will remain in orange, the second most restrictive level: Quintana Roo.

Mexican authorities continue to use their long-standing color-coded system to track COVID-19 activity at the state level and implement localized restrictions accordingly. Each state is assigned one of four coded levels based on local COVID-19 transmission; these levels range from green to red in order of increasing risk from the virus.

The state classifications will be enforced until at least June 6; however, the classification of each jurisdiction is subject to amendment at short notice, especially if confirmed cases significantly increase locally. The color-coded system is applied as follows:

Green Level: Authorities allow all businesses and activities to operate while urging residents to maintain social distancing and take enhanced health measures. In-person lessons in schools may also take place. 16 states will be at the Green Level May 24-June 6: Aguascalientes, Coahuila, Chiapas, Durango, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Queretaro, Oaxaca, Morelos, Tlaxcala, San Luis Potosi, Sonora, Sinaloa, and Veracruz.

Yellow Level: Authorities allow nonessential businesses to operate with some capacity restrictions depending on the sector and/or regional government's specifications. In general, restaurants, lodging businesses, personal care services, open-air parks and plazas, and gyms may operate at 75-percent capacity. Cinemas, museums theaters, cultural facilities, malls, and places of worship may operate at 50-percent capacity; 15 states will be at the Yellow Level May 24-June 6: Baja California, Baja California Sur, Chihuahua, Colima, Mexico City, Campeche, Mexico State, Puebla, Michoacan, Nuevo Leon, Nayarit, Tamaulipas, Tabasco, Yucatan, and Zacatecas.

Orange Level: Authorities allow certain nonessential businesses to open with stricter capacity limits. Markets and supermarkets can operate at up to 75-percent capacity. In general, lodging businesses, restaurants, personal care services, and open-air parks and plazas can operate at 50-percent capacity. Shopping malls, places of worship, cinemas, theaters, museums, and cultural events are limited to 25-percent capacity; such establishments may remain closed in some orange-level states. The only state currently at the orange level May 24-June 6: Quintana Roo.

Red Level: Only essential businesses and services may operate in states designated as being in the red category. Residents are encouraged to remain inside their homes, except to perform essential tasks. Residents must wear protective face coverings whenever in public. There are no states at the red level.

The capacity limits are a general guide; local officials are permitted to enforce additional restrictions, which may include tighter capacity limits, restricted business hours, or maintaining the closure of certain nonessential businesses or recreational facilities.

Travel Restrictions
Authorities in Mexico have extended the country's land border closures to all nonessential travel through at least June 21. The land border closure with the US has been in place since March 2020 under a mutual agreement between the two countries; nonessential land travel from Mexico to the US remains banned, while nonessential land travel from the US to Mexico is banned in all states that are at the orange or red levels in the country's color-coded system to track COVID-19 activity. All nonessential travel in Mexico's land southern border with Belize and Guatemala remains banned also through at least June 21. Cargo transport across the land borders is exempt.

International air travel is continuing. Mexico is not enforcing any mandatory quarantine requirements for arrivals; however, travelers may be subject to health screenings at the airport and those presenting symptoms of COVID-19 may be subject to additional health checks and/or quarantine.

Authorities could tighten or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national and regional health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays.

Resources

WHO Coronavirus Knowledge Base
Mexico Department of Health - COVID-19 Updates
Mexico City Government - COVID-19 Updates