As the world closely monitors the widely talked about Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), a new strain of virus found in humans that can cause from mild to severe respiratory diseases, here are the latest COVID-19 updates and information affecting travelers to Mexico.
Starting on December 12th, 2020, the Government of Quintana Roo initiated rapid COVID-19 testing at the Cancun International Airport. The tests are being given to passengers who report symptoms of a cough, fever or headache. Carlos Joaquín González, the Governor of Quintana Roo, said that this measure is being taken as a diagnostic filter so that we can continue to take care of health.
International Travelers to Mexico
There are currently no quarantine requirements in place for visitors to Mexico. However, nationals of any country must complete a health assessment form. The form is available online. Here is the link: https://afac.hostingerapp.com. When you fill it out online, it will generate a QR Code. This code must be shown at check-in in order to be allowed to board your flight. The QR Code must also be presented to health inspectors upon arrival into Mexico. You are advised to fill it out before leaving for the airport and take a screen capture of the QR code in case you experience any difficulties with Wi-Fi at the airport.
US Travelers
Effective December 6, 2021, before boarding a flight to the U.S. from a foreign country, all air passengers 2 years or older are required to present proof of a negative COVID-19 viral test result (regardless of vaccination status) taken no more than 24 hours before your scheduled flight, or present documentation of having recovered from COVID-19. These rules apply to everyone, including U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and foreign nationals. In addition to presenting a negative test result or documentation of recovery, each passenger must also print and present their attestation to the airline, which can be downloaded here.
Required documentation of recovery includes your positive COVID-19 viral test result taken no more than 90 days before the flight’s departure, and a letter from a licensed healthcare provider or a public health official stating that you have been cleared to travel.
For any guests staying at any of TAFER Hotels & Resorts’ properties, we offer on-site COVID-19 pre-departure tests for a discounted rate and guarantee the test results will be ready prior to guest departure. Testing can be scheduled and paid for upon check-in.
The U.S.-Mexico land border was closed for non-essential travel from March 21, 2020, but reopened in November 2021 as the first of a two-phase reopening plan outlined by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on October 12, 2021. DHS announced they would amend Title 19 regulations to allow non-essential travelers who have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and have appropriate documentation to enter the United States via land and ferry ports of entry across the U.S. border.
According to DHS, travelers from Mexico and Canada who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 will be allowed to enter the United States for non-essential purposes, including to visit friends and family or for tourism, via land and ferry border crossings. Travelers will be required to have appropriate paperwork that provides proof of vaccination. Individuals who have not been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 will not be allowed to travel for non-essential purposes from Canada and Mexico into the United States via land and ferry ports of entry.
Beginning in early January 2022, DHS will require that all inbound foreign national travelers crossing U.S. land or ferry ports of entry – whether for essential or non-essential reasons – be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and provide related proof of vaccination.
Under these new land border crossing rules, a negative COVID-19 test is not sufficient to enter the U.S. If you are planning to enter the U.S. by land, proof of vaccination is the only acceptable documentation at this time.
Canadian Travelers
As of November, 2021, Canada is still requiring all travelers 5 years of age or older, regardless of citizenship or vaccination status, to provide proof of a COVID-19 negative molecular test result taken within 72 hours of your scheduled flight, or arrival at a land border crossing to enter Canada, or proof of a previous positive test result taken between 14 and 180 days. PCR, NAT/NAAT and RT-LAMP tests are accepted, while rapid antigen tests are not. You must keep proof of your test results for the 14-day period that begins on the day you enter Canada.
Fully vaccinated travelers may now be exempt from mandatory self- quarantine and Day-8 testing if they meet certain conditions, and subject to the discretion of the border official upon reentry. The conditions include having had both doses of the vaccine and entering your vaccination and travel information using the ArriveCAN mobile app within 72 hours of your arrival to Canada.
Travelers who are not fully vaccinated must quarantine for 14 days upon their arrival to Canada. You are required to make your own quarantine plan and enter it into ArriveCAN before traveling. It is no longer required to quarantine in government approved hotels, but having a suitable quarantine plan is required, and your plan will be assessed by border agents upon arrival. If your plan is not suitable, you can be denied access to Canada. A COVID-19 test on Day 8 of quarantine is still required for those who are required to quarantine.
Global Travel Alerts
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. Department of State has issued global travel alerts for certain countries, including several states in Mexico. The travel alerts ranged from level 2, Exercise increased Caution, level 3, Reconsider Travel, to level 4, Do not Travel. As of July 12, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a level 3 travel alert due to the number of COVID-19 cases in the country.
However, the site also reminds travelers that being fully vaccinated with an FDA authorized vaccine lowers your risk of contracting COVID-19 and reduces the severity of symptoms. Visit the Travel.State.Gov website to keep up-to-date with the latest travel advisories and COVID-19 updates.
Mexico COVID-19 Updates
Country-Specific Information:
- As of December 13, 2021, there have been approximately 3,918,987 million positive cases of COVID-19 within Mexico’s borders and approximately 296,721 COVID-related deaths. The Mexican Ministry of Health (Spanish) publishes daily updates on the number of cases.
- For the cases of COVID-19 that have been confirmed in Mexico, the Ministry of Health has acted in accordance with the protocols established by the World Health Organization (WHO) and adheres to strict international guidelines related to the prevention, detection, and treatment of diseases.
- As of December 13, 2021, approximately 137 million doses of the vaccine have been administered throughout Mexico and that number is increasing on a daily basis.
- As of December 13, 2021, 27 out of 32 Mexican states are listed as “green” in the national stoplight system, which means the risk of contagion is low, and economic activities have resumed.
- Please see the latest information about the status of consular operations including routine appointments and emergency services.
Quarantine and Healthcare Information:
- There are no mandatory quarantine policies currently in effect for travelers to Mexico
- If you suspect you might have the virus, you are advised to seek medical attention and self-isolate.
- The Mexican government encourages people experiencing the symptoms of COVID-19, fever, cough, headaches, throat pain, or constant sneezing, to self-quarantine for 14 days, consult with, and comply with the instructions of your local healthcare provider. The same applies to individuals who were in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 and present symptoms of respiratory illness.
- Locals and visitors in Mexico are encouraged to wear face masks, continue respecting social distancing measures, wash their hands frequently, or use antibacterial gel in the absence of hand washing facilities, and cough or sneeze in the inner part of the elbow to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Entry and Exit Requirements:
- The United States and Mexico entered a joint initiative March 21, 2020 restricting non-essential travel along the U.S.-Mexico land border to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. As mentioned above, these restrictions are being eased as a two-phase strategy to re-open the land border is rolled out.Mexico has implemented temperature-screening measures at its airports. Passengers with a fever will be subject to additional health screening.
- Beyond standard travel documentation, travelers to Mexico do not require any additional documentation to enter apart from filling out an online health questionnaire.
- International travelers are required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test at the airport prior to departure, or documentation of recovery.
Local Resources:
- Health advice for travelers seeking information is available at ports of entry.
- Call the Mexican Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 hotline at 800 0044 800 for information or medical attention. English language operators are sometimes, but not always, available.
TAFER Hotels & Resorts takes the health and well-being of all our guests very seriously and will advise you in case this situation changes, but currently there is no reason for travelers to cancel their travel plans to Mexico.
More detailed information and travel safety tips can be found online at:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html
We hope that you have found these COVID-19 updates useful. Stay safe, stay healthy, and we look forward to welcoming you soon in Mexico.
