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Low COVD Infection Rate Sees State Stay In The Green Zone For 6 Weeks
Cancun and the rest of Quintana Roo are continuing their period of low COVID rates, justifying the Governor’s decision to continue in the safe green zone. The zone means Cancun will continue to be restriction-free.
The announcement was expected as rates have remained fairly low for the last month. With as many a 3 million visitors expected over the next few weeks, it was always unlikely that the state would see a return of the restrictions. The economic loss of lowering occupational capacity would be rough for the region, as well as chaos dealing with the pre-booked rooms which are approaching 100%.
Cancun has been in the green zone on Mexico’s epidemiological traffic light system for well over a month at this point and is taking further steps to normalize life in the state. The mask mandate requiring everyone to wear a face-covering in public has been dropped, meaning all visitors can go mask-free unless they’re on public transport or other designated places.
On top of this, operational hours have also been extended for bars, restaurants, and even the local beaches. This development is particularly beneficial for bars and clubs, as these establishments have been losing income at some of their traditionally busiest times since the beginning of the pandemic.
The Governor is still stressing for the region to take care of itself. Requesting for everyone to make common sense choices like wearing a mask at appropriate moments, social distancing, and avoiding any busy enclosed space, Joaquin is hoping that there will be no more surges in the infection.
One worrying factor is the emergence of the BA.2 strain, which is currently the dominant variant in Europe and the US. The strain is reportedly even more transmissible than the fast-spreading Omicron, which plunged Cancun into a massive outbreak and tougher restrictions. Europe is dealing with currently, but most countries aren’t showing too much concern and are still dropping restrictions. It’s thought this is mainly because the hospitalizations are low and high vaccination rates are making it much more bearable in the grand scheme of things.
This is the case for much of the Quintana Roo population. The problem may lie in the people arriving who may not be vaccinated. With so many millions coming from across the globe, it’s almost a guarantee that BA.2 will be making an appearance. Hopefully it’s a similar situation in Mexico if the rates do see a significant jump.
Estimates suggest that as many as 200 thousand visitors could be arriving everyday over the week of Easter with many of them arriving from Europe. The issues in Ukraine are benefiting the tourist sector in Mexico as many Europeans would prefer to fly west to avoid any potential instability in the air caused by the current conflict.
Whether Cancun can hold onto these tourists after the pandemic and Ukraine crisis ends will remain to be seen, but the Governor will be hoping the state can double down on its efforts and provide an experience that will make the transatlantic trip worth it. A ten-hour flight is a lot compared to two-hour jaunt that many continental Europeans can usually expect for a similar vacation.
With other Caribbean countries now opening their own borders and dropping restrictions, Cancun faces further competition and has lost the advantage it enjoyed for the last two years of restriction free entry. With several problems to tackle going forward, Cancun has a lot of work to do to ensure the tourists continue to flood in, and Easter could be a defining moment for the rest of the year.
Anyone hoping to travel to Cancun over the coming weeks should check in with their hotel and any restaurants and activity providers to ensure places are booked. With massive numbers expected, preparation could be the key for avoiding disappointment.
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