Mexico: Authorities extend some COVID-19 restrictions until September 27 /update 26

Event

Mexican authorities announced that some restrictions previously implemented due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic have been extended until at least September 29, in an effort to further curb the spread of the virus. Authorities have extended the four-tier color-coded COVID-19 risk assessment scale, which allows authorities to monitor the virus activity and implement restrictions accordingly. As of September 14, all states are currently operating in the 'orange' and 'yellow' categories.

States under the 'red' category may only permit essential businesses to open, with hotels only allowed to accommodate critical workers at a 25% occupancy. Residents are advised to stay home and face coverings are mandatory in all public places.

States under the 'orange' level can allow non-essential businesses to open with social distancing and hygiene measures in place. Markets and food shops will be permitted to operate at 75% capacity, restaurants and lodging businesses at 50% capacity, and places of worship, shopping malls, theaters, and cinemas at 25% capacity.

In states under the 'yellow' category, non-essential businesses will be permitted to operate with liberal capacity restrictions in place. Restaurants and lodging businesses will be allowed to operate at a 50% capacity. Places of worship, shopping malls, theaters, and cinemas will be allowed to open at a 35% capacity.

The land border between Mexico and the US remains closed until at least September 21.

As of Sunday, September 13, health authorities have confirmed 668,381 COVID-19 cases with 70,821 associated deaths in the country. Further spread of the virus is expected in the near term

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.