Mexico: Officials update state-level COVID-19 risk designations through Feb. 20 /update 60

Event

The government of Mexico has updated the COVID-19 transmission risk assessments for each of the country's states effective Feb. 7. The new designations will be in place through at least Feb. 20.

As part of the update, several states have had their risk levels increased. These include Colima and Nayarit, which changed from green to orange; Guerrero, Hidalgo, Michoacan, Oaxaca, Puebla, and Tabasco, which changed from green to yellow; and Jalisco, Queretaro, San Luis Potosi, Sinaloa, and Tamaulipas, which changed from yellow to orange.

Other states had their risk levels decreased. These include Aguascalientes, which changed from red to orange, and Baja California Sur and Quintana Roo, which changed from orange to yellow.

Domestic Measures
As part of the nationwide epidemiological stoplight system, each state, as well as Mexico City, is assigned one of four color-coded levels based on local COVID-19 transmission, with restrictions being imposed accordingly. These levels range from green to red in order of increasing COVID-19 risk. The recommended restrictions associated with each risk level and the states assigned to each one are as follows:

Green Level: Authorities recommend no capacity limits for businesses and social activities, but still require masks to be worn on all public transportation. Campeche, Chiapas, Tlaxcala, and Veracruz are at the green level.

Yellow Level: Authorities allow most businesses and social activities to occur with capacity limits of up to 75 percent. The use of protective masks is obligatory in all enclosed public spaces, including when using public transport. Baja California Sur, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Mexico City, Mexico State, Michoacan, Morelos, Oaxaca, Puebla, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, and Yucatan are at the yellow level.

Orange Level: Authorities allow most businesses and social activities to occur with capacity limits of up to 50 percent. Protective masks are required in all public spaces. Aguascalientes, Baja California, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Colima, Durango, Jalisco, Nayarit, Nuevo Leon, Queretaro, San Luis Potosi, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tamaulipas, and Zacatecas are at the orange level.

Red Level: Residents are encouraged to remain inside their homes, except to perform essential tasks. Officials allow businesses and social activities to occur with capacity limits set at their discretion. Protective masks are required in all public spaces. As of Feb. 7, no state is at the red level.

The capacity limits and closures are a general guide. Local officials are permitted to enforce additional restrictions or refrain from imposing recommended measures despite the guidance associated with a particular color level.

International Travel Restrictions
The country's northern border is open for non-essential travel. Persons traveling for non-essential reasons may cross into the US if fully vaccinated. International air travel to/from Mexico has continued unabated, and 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 travel 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