Mexico: Authorities maintaining unchanged state-level COVID-19 classifications through Jan. 17 /update 28

Event

Authorities in Mexico will maintain the previously established color-coded classifications at the state level, through at least Jan. 17. The four-tier system assigns a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) risk color to each state, ranging from "green," the lowest risk level, to "red," the highest risk level, which enables authorities to monitor disease activity at the state level and implement localized restrictions accordingly. As of Jan. 5, officials have not amended any of the classifications, which are as follows:

At the 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 resume. The following states are at the green level:

Campeche and Chiapas

At the yellow level, authorities allow nonessential businesses to operate with more liberal capacity restrictions than at the orange level, depending on the sector and/or regional government's specifications. Restaurants, personal care services, and lodging businesses may operate at 50-percent capacity. Cinemas, theaters, cultural facilities, malls, public parks, places of worship, and professional sports and gyms may operate at 35-percent capacity. The following states are at the yellow level as of Jan. 5:

Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Sinaloa

At the orange level, authorities allow nonessential businesses to open with capacity limits. Markets and supermarkets can operate at up to 75-percent capacity. Lodging businesses, restaurants, and personal care services can resume operations at a reduced 60-percent capacity. Shopping malls, places of worship, cinemas, theaters, museums, and cultural events are limited to 25-percent capacity. The following jurisdictions are at the orange level:

Aguascalientes, Baja California Sur, Coahuila, Chihuahua, Colima, Durango, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Morelos, Michoacan, Nayarit, Nuevo Leon, Oaxaca, Puebla, Queretaro, San Luis Potosi, Quintana Roo, Sonora, Tabasco, Tlaxcala, Yucatan, Zacatecas

Only essential businesses and services may operate in states designated in the red category. Hotels are only available to critical workers and occupancy is limited to 25 percent. Parks may open at 25-percent capacity. Residents are encouraged to remain inside their homes, except to perform essential tasks. Residents must wear protective face coverings whenever in public. The following states will remain at the red level:

Baja California, Guanajuato, Mexico State, Mexico City, Morelos, and Puebla

In parts of Mexico City, non-essential businesses, including restaurants and retail stores, must close at 1700. Restaurants may operate on a carryout basis only and sales of street food are prohibited. In addition, vehicular traffic through the Historic District of the city will be heavily restricted, with a number of roads being closed. Residents are also urged to stay at home and wear facemasks in public.

Additionally, officials are maintaining the pandemic-related closure of the nation's land border with the US to all nonessential travel through at least Jan. 21. The ban on recreational boat travel will also remain in effect. These measures have been in place since March under a mutual agreement between the two countries. Cargo transport between Mexico and the US is exempt. Officials in Mexico continue to advise residents to avoid all international travel.

Authorities could reimpose, tighten, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks. The color-coded classification of each jurisdiction is also subject to amendment at short notice, especially if confirmed cases significantly increase locally.

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.

Emphasize basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.