Securely Travel Travel Securely
As the third year of the COVID pandemic fast approaches, we took a moment to gather information (and their sources) which travelers will want to avail themselves prior to heading south.
CDC Travel Advice
As of 14 November 2021, the CDCL has MEXICO labeled as Level 3: High Level of COVID-19 in Mexico. The CDC has very specific advice, for those contemplating travel to Mexico.
- FULLY VACCINATED prior to travel
- Unvaccinated travelers should avoid nonessential travel to Mexico.
- Because of the current situation in Mexico, all travelers may be at risk for getting and spreading COVID-19 variants.
- Travelers should follow recommendations or requirements in Mexico, including wearing a mask and staying 6 feet apart from others.
CDC’s travel information for COVID is available … MEXICO CDC TRAVEL ADVICE … or via the microsite link at the top of the webpage.
State Department Travel Advice
With the CDC information in hand, travelers should then absorb the from the State Department re COVID, which is regularly updated with stats and advice drawn from information provided by the U.S. Embassy and consulates in Mexico.
COVID Advice:
State’s country specific advice is pull verbatim below:
- As of November 5, Mexico has confirmed 3,818,216 total cases of COVID-19 within its borders since the beginning of the pandemic. Mexican authorities report widespread community transmission, thousands of cases of infection, and increased numbers of patients requiring hospitalization. The Mexican Ministry of Health (Spanish) publishes daily updates on the number of cases.
- There are zero states designated as “red” under the federal stoplight system as of November 5.
- The U.S. Department of State updated the Travel Advisory for Mexico on July 12, 2021. Reconsider travel to Mexico due to COVID-19.
- Please see the latest information about the status of consular operations including routine appointments and emergency services.
Furthermore, vaccinated air travelers must provide a valid PCR/Antigen negative COVID test within three days of travel. Such tests are generally available in Mexico and many hotels/resorts are happy to facilitate this testing.
General Travel Advice:
The State Department has labeled MEXICO as LEVEL 3: Reconsider Travel due to both COVID and crime. It is important to understand travel to different areas of Mexico may carry different warnings from the Embassy, and review information specific for their proposed destination.
A good rule of thumb is to note what restrictions are being placed by the Embassy on U.S. government employees resident in Mexico and follow suit. The State Department’s current restrictions (14 November 2021)
Restrictions on U.S. government travel: U.S. government employees may not travel between cities after dark, may not hail taxis on the street, and must rely on dispatched vehicles, including app-based services like Uber, and regulated taxi stands.
State’s travel information available … MEXICO TRAVEL ADVISORY
Government of Mexico’s COVID data
First and foremost, Mexico’s Dirección General de Epidemiología (General Directorate of Epidemiology) has made their information open and available to all via their Open Data program, this data is also analyzed and presented in easily understandable charts, graphs and maps. The presentation is useful to determine the current COVID situation in each state. The link to this data set is provided here: Mexico Current COVID situation (Spanish language - updated daily)
Securely Travel’s Advice for Travel to Mexico
We have written extensively on travel to Mexico and will continue to do so, given it is one of the prime travel locations of U.S. leisure travelers. We believe it to be generally safe to travel to Mexico and our advice contained in our post “How to manage your Mexican vacation and not get shot” remains valid (we’ll be updating the area specific advice).
We wish to reiterate the advice of noted international journalist, Verónica Calderón, who is from Michoacan and lives in Mexico City. I asked her to help me provide info for the visitor to Mexico who had no area knowledge nor any knowledge of the Spanish language. She jumped right in. “Like any country, there are areas where individuals may place them self at greater risk than others.” That said, she encouraged visitors to Mexico, noting the hospitable nature of the country as a whole.
Calderón’s specific pieces of advice for a traveler to Mexico includes:
- If you don’t speak the language — rely on your hotel concierge or hosts for directions and reservations.
- Do not be afraid to ask the question: “Where should I not go!”
- Don’t do drugs — Those who use and purchase drugs are putting themselves in danger. You are coming in direct contact with the most violent of side of the Mexico criminal world and as a foreigner you are making yourself a target. (NB: The recent shoot-out in Puerto Morelos in Quintana Roo was drug related)
- Keep your mind open, learn from your hosts and above all, enjoy all that Mexico has to offer.
In closing, we strongly urge U.S. travelers to register their travel with the U.S. Department of State (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program - STEP) so that in the event of a natural disaster (earthquake, hurricane) the traveler is afforded the same information being shared with the resident expat community.
In addition, travel to Mexico without being fully vaccinated for COVID is rolling the dice that your vacation may be unexpectedly extended while you are isolated (at your expense) in a hotel accommodation or for those with serious cases of COVID in a hospital in Mexico.
Finally, put together your travel plan, to include confirming and then reconfirming the necessary COVID testing you will require to return to the U.S. if traveling by air.
