Mexico: Officials update state-level COVID-19 risk designations as of Nov. 1 /update 52

Event

As of Nov. 1, Mexican authorities have updated the government's COVID-19 transmission risk assessments for each of the country's states. The changes denote a continued nationwide trend of lowered viral spread following a peak in cases in late August; all but three states are now at the lowest risk level. Additionally, US authorities have announced that the border with Mexico will reopen Nov. 8 to nonessential travel to the US; travelers must be fully vaccinated, however.

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. Following the most recent risk level update, which will remain in effect through Nov. 14, most states fall under the green level, with two being at yellow and only one at the orange level; no state is currently 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 masks to be worn on all public transportation. Mexico City, Baja California Sur, Sonora, Chiapas, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Colima, Queretaro, Morelos, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatan, Jalisco, Durango, Nayarit, Guerrero, Sinaloa, Oaxaca, San Luis Potosi, Veracruz, Hidalgo, Tlaxcala, Michoacan, Tamaulipas, Nuevo Leon, Quintana Roo, Mexico State, Puebla, and Zacatecas 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 transportation. Aguascalientes and Guanajuato are the states 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. Baja California 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. 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
The country's northern border remains closed to nonessential travel to the US through Nov. 8, at which point fully vaccinated travelers will be able to cross for nonessential reasons; persons traveling for essential reasons will also be required to be fully vaccinated as of January 2022. 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