Mexico: Officials update state-level COVID-19 risk designations as of Sept. 20 /update 49

Event

As of Sept. 20, Mexican authorities have updated COVID-19 transmission risk assessments for each of the country's states. The changes denote a nationwide trend of lowered viral spread following a peak in cases in late August. Furthermore, US officials have also extended the closure of the US-Mexico border to non-essential travel to the US through Oct. 21.

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. In the current round of designations set to last through Oct. 3, most states fall under the yellow level, with four states at green and four others at orange; no state remains at the red level. 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 mask-wearing on all public transportation. Baja California Sur, Chiapas, Chihuahua, and Sinaloa are the only states at the green level.

Yellow Level: Authorities allow most businesses and social activities to occur with capacity limits of up to 75 percent. Mask-wearing is obligatory in all enclosed public spaces, including when using public transportation. Baja California, Nayarit, Jalisco, Durango, Coahuila, Zacatecas, Michoacan, Guanajuato, Mexico City, Mexico, Sonora, San Luis Potosi, Aguascalientes, Veracruz, Campeche, Oaxaca, Yucatan, Nuevo Leon, Guerrero, Puebla, Hidalgo, Tlaxcala, Queretaro, and Quintana Roo are at the yellow level.

Orange Level: Authorities allow most businesses and social activities to occur with capacity limits of up to 50 percent. Mask-wearing is obligatory in all public spaces. Tamaulipas, Colima, Morelos, and Tabasco 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. Mask-wearing is obligatory in all public spaces. No states are currently 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
Although the country's northern border remains closed to non-essential travel to the US through at least Oct. 21, international air travel is continuing. 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