Mexico is Reopening after Reluctantly Shutting Down
But does that mean you should go?
Photo by Enrique Amaya on Unsplash
December is beginning and 2020 is ending. Some are reflecting on their accomplishments while others are starting to tackle their short comings.
It has been an eventful year, to say the least. In Mexico, the Coronavirus (COVID-19) forced a lot of reflection upon us and gave rise to new, unknown challenges. It is ironic to say that the only constant is change.
We adjusted our behavior to defeat the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and also modified our expectations to live with it.
It is happening all over the world and life in Mexico has not been spared from this change. Look into my blog so you won't be surprised by a transformed Mexico when visiting during Coronavirus (COVID-19) times. Like I said earlier, change is the only constant and you should look forward to the impact it will have on your stay in Mexico.
Mexico reopened because it had to
Staying home is a privilege afforded to few. This is true for the entire world and more so for Mexico. So it should be of no surprise that Mexico is reopening. Largely, too, because opportunities are limited here.
It is no secret that about 60% of the population in Mexico work as ambulantes in the informal economy and depend on going out daily to earn a living. Factor in the fact that tourism alone accounts for about 10% of Mexico’s economy and that unemployment options are scant.
Well, eventually people in Mexico would have to go back to work. Without a stimulus package, states in Mexico had to get a little creative. How to best protect both customers and business in Mexico during Coronavirus (Covid-19) times? Protocols were put in place to allow for places to open.
In Mexico City, bars where allowed to function as restaurants as long as food was being served. They also had to agree to enforce sanitary and social distancing measures. Bar occupancy is not allowed to exceed 30% and they have to close by 10 p.m.
Other sectors of the economy followed suit and began to gradually reopen. Hotels, restaurants, theaters and malls slowly opened their doors for business.
Trends in Mexico
Here in Mexico City, I see activity going on like we are not living a pandemic. People are everywhere. Out and about in stores, restaurants and public transportation like nothing.
There are families that don't have anything to eat but you would think otherwise if you saw the amount of people packed inside restaurants. I am convinced from conversations I have had with others that this is the same behavior throughout most of Mexico.
One good thing I have noticed is that more and more people are wearing masks to protect themselves from the Coronavirus. Everyone, from the day laborer working on the street to the office worker leaving the office.
There is no testing for the Coronavirus or quarantine requirements to enter Mexico, but I suggest you get tested before you come. Land border crossings are limited only for essential travel and you will find less restrictions when flying.
When entering a building, restaurant or store you will be subject to your temperature being taken and your hands filled with their version of disinfectant gel. Personally, we carry our own gel and apply it before entering and immediately after leaving.
Most establishments have disinfectant mats for your shoes and are functioning with occupancy no higher than 20%. Of course, you will find some with higher or lower occupancy levels during these times.
Getting around Mexico City during Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Transport in Mexico City is complicated, at the very least. However, you have many options to get around. If you are like us, we like to walk everywhere during Coronavirus times because of the flow of fresh air.
I also see a lot of individuals transporting themselves with bikes. Look into my post about transport in Mexico City before deciding to ride a bike. You will thank me later.
Once here, you will find that everyone has stepped up in Mexico to keep the Coronavirus at bay. Taxis will not let you into the car if you are not wearing a mask. Aside from masks, most drivers also wear shields and gloves.
Ubers, the safest form of transport in Mexico City, have resorted to installing plastic partitions between the front and back seat. Sort of like taxis in the United States.
Both taxis and Ubers drive around with their windows down to allow for the flow of fresh air. You will find signs on windows that let passengers know of the requirements before boarding.
If you are traveling during a pandemic, then most likely you are not depending on public transportation to get around. I don’t recommend you use the Metro, Metro-Bus or any other public transportation service available for now.
Most metro stops are not equipped with automatic teller machines and you will stand in line to add credit to your card or to buy a ticket. Today, most ticket booths are closed and you will have to go to another station or just simply jump the rails.
You will also be in close contact with people trying to get to work or home. Windows don’t ever seem to function on public transportation in Mexico City. Fresh air will not flow through a high occupancy area that gets crowded in a matter of seconds.
Cases are going up in Mexico
The lock-downs were never about taking away your rights. They were a simple measure to control the outbreaks and keep them at a minimum. This way the health system in Mexico will not be overwhelmed with Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases.
You cannot count on people to do the right thing though. Walking down my neighborhood in the past months, I could see bars/restaurants crowded well above allowed occupancy.
Some even had lines of would be patrons waiting outside. Others just simply closed their doors at 10 p.m. and continued serving until the last person stumbled out.
Cases have steadily been going up in Mexico. It is something I knew would happen once people tried going back to pre-pandemic life. Hospitals, both private and public, in Mexico are being flooded with new Coronavirus (COVID-19) patients.
However, cases and death rates are not near as high as other countries around the world and are also starting to go down.
New measures are being adopted in Mexico
Not much is known about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) except that it kills and that it is very contagious. That is enough for me to adjust my behavior.
Another thing that we do know is that the elderly and the less healthy have a higher risk of developing complications from the virus.
Because of this, Mexico is trying to curb obesity by targeting junk food. Preparing for the next pandemic by making citizens healthier and less susceptible to complications that might arise.
You will find government offices closed temporarily or functioning at a minimal capacity with a skeleton crew during the Coronavirus (Covid-19). It is kind of like a normal day in Mexico because customer service does not exist here.
Establishments will be forced to have no more than a 30% occupancy level. Some will be allowed to function at 40% occupancy if areas are designated for outdoor dining.
Businesses have already installed areas for you to wash your hands before entering and have reduced business hours. They will also now be monitored to make sure they are abiding by the new rules.
Another measure being taken in Mexico City by the government is to install screening booths equipped with disinfectant gel and face masks. Say goodbye to the long lines to get into the supermarket and the risk of being infected for simply waiting to get inside.
Contact tracing will also intensify by placing booths around the city for testing. This will be enforced digitally by having individuals entering a building or traveling in public transportation scan a QR Code.
I don't agree with this last method because I see it as an intrusion in your privacy. Basically it uses your location history to see if you have come in contact with someone infected with the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
I always say that I don't have my phone on me. We are also being asked not to go out just to go out and to work from home. In addition to working from home, companies with 100 or more employees will be subject to a Coronavirus (Covid-19) test every 15 days.
If you must come anyway
Tourism and the informal economy are important factors for the Mexican economy. One can see why Mexico has not resorted to shutting down the border completely during the Covid-19 pandemic,
Museums, gyms, parks and theaters all have to abide by the new restrictions as well. You will find establishments practically empty. I guess it is a good thing if you are planning on visiting Coyoacan or La Condesa.
If you are coming with kids, I am letting you know that ice rinks, photos with Santa or the 3 Wise Men have all been cancelled. Malls are not allowed to install them. This includes the ice rink installed downtown in the Zocalo.
The Basilica of Guadalupe will be closed from the 10th until the 13th of December. I think it was counterproductive to do this because many, without thinking about the consequences, are already flooding Mexico City.
Furthermore, alcohol sales have been suspended on weekends because people can't seem to stop having parties during Coronavirus. This will continue until cases are under control and hospitalizations go down.
When here, I suggest you consider supporting locally owned businesses. Refrain from chains and instead visit mom and pop shops.
Besides helping the people out that really need it, you will be helping in keeping prices down. Thanks to today's economic model prices might actually go up because of an influx of visitors that looks like an increase in demand. Inflation will increase after you leave.
I don't think you should travel during a pandemic and more so if you just want to flaunt your social standing. Especially if cases are rising in your own country.
Consider what you may be bringing with you when traveling. You can be a carrier and the people whom you come into contact with might not have the same access to quality healthcare that you do.
Follow all recommendations and sanitary precautions to stay safe while visiting. Also look into requirements for returning home, testing centers in Mexico and other useful information.
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