COVID-19 INFORMATION FOR TRAVELERS TO MEXICO

covid19 update

Last updated September 21, 2020.

Temporary Border Closure for non-essential travel

The United States and Mexico governments are working to fight against this pandemic together. Both governments entered a joint agreement March 21 to limit non-essential travel along the US-Mexico land border to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus reducing the mobility of our shared border. By agreement, both countries have decided to extend the restrictions every 30 days, now through October 21, 2020.

Non- essential travel includes travel that is considered tourism or recreational in nature. Unaffected travel include essential commerce, essential trade, individuals traveling to receive medical treatment, commuting to and from jobs in the USA or Mexico, attending urgent family needs. The temporary border crossing restrictions are enforced by the US preventing foreign citizens with visas to enter the US. US Citizens, US legal residents, dual citizens, Mexico Legal Residents, are allowed to enter Mexico, and will be allowed to cross back to the US. If you need to travel to Mexico, plan your route, check your destination's mobility restrictions, pack your sanitizing essentials, including face-mask, disinfectants and antiviral gel for everyone in your vehicle. If you have any questions, give us a call (800) 222 0158.

Mexican government has implemented a Federal Health contingency period until May 30, including suspension of non-essential activities in the public, private and social sectors. On May 18, Mexico entered Phase 1 of reopening communities with low level of contagion. Phase 2 in place between May 18-May 31, businesses adopting new protocols to safely open for interactions between staff and customers. Phase 3, June 1, the reopening phase will begin through a weekly health alert "Traffic light system" by region (state or by city) that will determine the level of health alert and define the type of activities allowed in the area. The Mexican government updates the state-level designations every Friday, and the revisions will take effect the following Monday.

Vehicle Importation Permits Update

Many have expressed concern over their temporary vehicle importation permit expiring during the COVID-19 lock-down period and question the return of the security deposit. Per Banjercito's instructions, the only way to cancel or stop a permit and receive the return of the guarantee deposit is going to the nearest U.S. - Mexico border crossing Banjercito office.

To contact Customs office (Aduanas de Mexico) for information to cancel a permit when you are not able to go to the border, call1 (877) 448-8728 chose options 7,8 or email CIITEV_ADUANAMEXICO@SAT.GOB.MX

To start the process to obtain a new permit, or verify the status of your permit, visit Banjercito Registro de Vehiculos

Entry and Exit Requirements during restriction period

Mexico has implemented temperature-screening measures at most of the land border ports of entry. Travelers should expect delays and the possibility of being asked to return to the United States or being quarantined in Mexico.
Several states and municipalities have imposed curfews and movement restrictions on non-essential activities including checkpoints between cities and have required citizens to wear masks when outside the home. Please confirm directly with government and other trusted sources for more information on closures and restrictions in different Mexican states and municipalities.
"HOY NO CIRCULA" in CDMX and metropolitan area have resumed to their official schedule for all private vehicles of local or foreign plates. Monday 5 & 6, Tuesday 7 & 8, Wednesday 3 & 4, Thursday 1 & 2, Friday 9 & 0. You may obtain a "Tourist Pass" (Pase Turista) that gives you permission to drive your foreign vehicle any day without restriction.

Quarantine and Healthcare information

Mexican government encourages people experiencing the symptoms of COVID-19 to stay home for 14 days, consult with, and follow the instructions of your local healthcare provider.

The U.S Embassy in Mexico recommends that you enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.

Returning to the U.S.

U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents will be allowed into the country. They will receive the same processing, evaluation and potential CDC medical screening that all entrants undergo at U.S. Ports of Entry.

If you must travel, be sure to take steps to help prevent, getting and spreading COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases during travel. For the most up-to-date COVID-19 travel information, visit CDC COVID-19 Travel page.

Mexican Border states information and their response to COVID-19

Information may change without notice

BAJA CALIFORNIA - http://www.bajacalifornia.gob.mx/coronavirus - It is mandatory to wear face-mask in public. Public beaches are closed. Limitations on transporting alcohol beverages from US.

Ensenada - Has additional health screening on the highway entrance into town. Travelers must demonstrate they are carrying out an essential activity to enter the city.

Bahia de los Angeles - Curfew in place 8 pm to 7 am

SONORA - http://www.saludsonora.gob.mx/ Phase 2. Mandatory Stay-in-place for residents in its 12 major cities. Rural towns have strict social distancing measures, including restricting entry to non-residents. Residents are required to stay in their homes unless they need to buy groceries or essential needs. Only one passenger per vehicle, except taxis. Face masks are required in public. If part of the essential services, you must carry a letter showing proof they and the business are essential and their travel is related to company/official business.

Puerto Peñasco (Rocky Point) - Entry protocols for tourism and city guidelines.The city has removed the health barrier, no more checkpoint at the entrance of town.

Nogales and Agua Prieta - Health screening checkpoints and disinfectant tunnels at ports of entry. Only one person per family is allowed in grocery stores, pharmacies and other essential business locations. Only one person per vehicle is permitted.

Hermosillo - Health and resident screening checkpoints are in place, law enforcement are instructing people to return home if they cannot demonstrate residence in the area.

CHIHUAHUA - http://www.chihuahua.gob.mx/ Stay-at-home orders, use of facial mask in public.

Ciudad Juarez- Health screening checkpoints at ports of entry. Only one person per family is allowed in grocery stores, pharmacies and other essential business locations.

Only one person per vehicle is permitted.

COAHUILA http://www.saludcoahuila.gob.mx/COVID19/index.phpUse of face-mask is mandatory when in public. Stay-at-home and social distancing orders for all residents. Mobility restrictions in place between the states of Coahuila, Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas, restrict circulating between states unless deemed essential or emergency.

Ciudad Acuña and Piedras Negras - Health screening inspections with temperature checks in place at the international ports of entry. Travelers showing symptoms of COVID-19 or those who decline to have their temperature checked may be denied entry to Mexico. It's been reported that Piedras Negras does not allow more than one person in a vehicle at a time.

TAMAULIPAS - http://coronavirus.tamaulipas.gob.mx/- Health screening inspections with temperature checks in place at the international ports of entry. Travelers showing symptoms of COVID-19 or those who decline to have their temperature checked may be denied entry to Mexico. Mandatory use of face-mask, and only two people per vehicle. They continue to have stay at home orders thru the end of June. Authorities are strongly urging adults over the age of 60 as well as children to remain at home. Officials may issue fines and/or arrest and detain individuals found to be in violation of stay at home orders.

Limited vehicle circulation - "Doble Hoy No Circula" -In the cities of Reynosa, Matamoros, Nuevo Laredo, Rio Bravo, Tampico, Victoria, Altamira, San Fernando has a mobility restrictions for national and foreign private vehicles. Private vehicles circulation is restricted one day a week, based on the ending number of their license plate. Monday 0 & 1, Tuesday 2 & 3, Wednesday 4 & 5, Thursday 6 & 7, Friday 8 & 9. Exceptions apply to emergencies and vehicles used for essential services.

NUEVO LEON -http://www.nl.gob.mx/salud Stay-at-home orders and use of face-mask in public. State and local authorities have implemented health screening checkpoint throughout the state.