Mexico: Officials update state-level COVID-19 risk designations through March 6 /update 61

Event

The government of Mexico has updated the COVID-19 transmission risk assessments for each of the country's states effective Feb. 21. The new designations are in place through at least March 6.

As part of the update, all states previously designated at the orange level have decreased their risk levels to either yellow or green. The number of states at the green (low risk) level has increased to 16. The yellow (moderate risk) level now has 15 states plus Mexico City. No state is at the highest (red) risk level.

Domestic Measures
As part of the nationwide epidemiological stoplight system, each state and Mexico City are 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. Baja California, Baja California Sur, Campeche, Chiapas, Durango, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Michocan, Puebla, Quintana Roo, San Luis Potosi, Tabasco, Tlaxcala, Veracruz, Yucatan, and Zacatecas are at this 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. As of Feb. 22, Aguascalientes, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Colima, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Mexico State, Mexico City, Morelos, Nayarit, Nuevo Leon, Oaxaca, Queretaro, Sinaloa, Sonora, and Tamaulipas are at this 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. As of Feb. 22, no state is 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. For the third consecutive period, there are no states at this level.

The capacity limits and closures are a general guide. Local officials can 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