Mexico: As of Dec. 7, authorities have updated their four-tier state-level system of coronavirus disease-related restrictions /update 25

Event

As part of ongoing efforts to limit the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), authorities in Mexico have increased restrictions in 12 of the country's states, as of Dec. 7. The increased restrictions will remain in effect until at least Dec. 20. Health officials have moved Baja California and Zacatecas to the red level, the level of the color-coded system with the highest level of restrictions. Additionally, officials have reclassified 10 additional states, including Baja California Sur, Sinaloa, and Tamaulipas, to the orange level, the level second with the highest restrictions.

The Mexican government uses a four-tier, color-coded system ranging from the lowest risk (green) level to the highest risk (red) level, which enables authorities to monitor disease activity at the state level and implement localized restrictions accordingly. 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 states of Campeche, Chiapas, and Veracruz will be at the green level until at least Dec. 20.

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 until at least Dec. 20:

Colima, Oaxaca, and Tlaxcala

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 24 jurisdictions are at the orange level between Dec. 7-20:

Aguascalientes, Baja California Sur, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Mexico City, Mexico State, Michoacan, Morelos, Nayarit, Nuevo Leon, Puebla, Queretaro, Quintana Roo, San Luis Potosi, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tabasco, Tamaulipas, and Yucatan

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 until at least Dec. 20:

Baja California, and Zacatecas

Travel Restrictions
Mexico's land border with the US will remain closed to all nonessential travel through at least Dec. 21 as part of ongoing efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19. 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, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Context

The measures taken by authorities in Mexico are similar to actions taken by other governments globally in response to the spread of COVID-19. COVID-19 is a viral respiratory disease caused by infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV). Symptoms occur 1-14 days following exposure (average of 3-7 days). These symptoms include fever, fatigue, cough, difficulty breathing, sometimes worsening to pneumonia and kidney failure - especially in those with underlying medical conditions. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic March 11.

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.