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The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico have issued a new health alert for Americans traveling to Mexico. While over the last year most alerts have come in the form of warnings regarding the growing Covid-19 crisis, this announcement came as welcome news for those headed to Mexico.
The alert was issued by the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico advising American travelers and citizens living in Mexico that the number of Covid-19 cases have decreased slightly after peaking in the first week of January, 2021.
Over the last year the U.S. has had strong warnings against traveling to Mexico but the latest news may show that conditions are slowly starting to improve. While the announcement was positive, there are still areas with a high number of positive Covid-19 infections that Americans need to be aware of before traveling to Mexico.
Mexico States With The Highest Number of Cases
The U.S. State Department is warning travelers headed to certain states in Mexico due to high infection rates of Covid-19.
The States with the highest number of active cases include:
- Coahuila
- Guanajuato
- Jalisco
- Mexico City
- Mexico State
- Nuevo Leon
- Puebla
- San Luis Potosi
- Sonora
- Tabasco
Additionally, The U.S. State Department is also warning Americans of high hospitalizations rates in the following states:
- Mexico City
- Mexico State
- Morelos
- Puebla
Although the Covid-19 situation has slightly improved in country, Mexican authorities are still calling on people to stay home and only leave for essential activities.
Health Protocols For American Travelers In Mexico
While the mandatory use of masks varies from state to state in Mexico, the U.S. State Department is encouraging all Americans to wear a mask and follow all local Covid-19 prevention protocols.
Mexico Stoplight Covid-19 Risk Warning System
Mexico is using a stop light system to inform people about the epidemiological situation in each state. The traffic light system goes from green to red with red being the most severe warning. Under each stop light, different activities and hotel/restaurant capacity will be limited.
Currently only two states remain in red (maximum risk) which are Guanajuato and Guerrero.
The second highest warning level of orange (high risk) include the states of:
- Mexico City
- México state
- Nuevo León
- Jalisco (Puerto Vallarta)
- Querétaro
- Hidalgo
- Morelos
- San Luis Potosí
- Puebla
- Nayarit (Nuevo Vallarta)
- Baja California Sur (Los Cabos)
- Coahuila
- Zacatecas
- Veracruz
- Michoacán
- Aguascalientes
- Oaxaca
- Yucatán
- Quintana Roo (Cancun, Playa Del Carmen & Tulum)
- Tlaxcala
The yellow light (medium risk) states include:
- Baja California
- Sonora
- Chihuahua
- Durango
- Sinaloa (Mazatlán)
- Tamaulipas
- Tabasco
- Campeche
Entry Requirements For U.S. Travelers Arriving In Mexico
Mexico has some of the most relaxed entry requirements in the world and traveling to the country is almost as simple as it was before. Americans will need to follow all mask rules on flights and fill out an online health declaration prior to arrival.
Travelers are not required to carry travel insurance for entry into Mexico.
Travel Off Path highly recommends visitors have proper medical insurance that covers COVID-19 while in Mexico.
Americans Returning Home From Mexico
As of January 26th, all international passengers including Americans returning home must present proof of a negative Covid-19 antigen test no more than 72 hours before the scheduled departure.
Many large resorts are now offering free covid-19 antigen tests for American guests. Other resorts are also covering 14 day free stays in the event a guest tests positive.
See the full guide on locations, mobile testing and how to get a Covid-19 antigen test in Mexico.
U.S. Overall Travel Advisory For Mexico
Back on September 8th, 2020 the level 4 ‘do not travel’ advisory for Mexico was downgraded to a level 3 ‘Reconsider Travel’.
The current advisory states ‘reconsider travel to Mexico due to COVID-19. Exercise increased caution in Mexico due to crime. Some areas have increased risk’.
CDC Travel Warning For Mexico
The CDC has rated Mexico a Level 4 advisory. The advisory states that there are very high levels of COVID-19 in Mexico. Travel increases your chances of getting and spreading COVID-19 and the CDC is recommending that travelers should avoid all travel to Mexico.
Read More
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