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The Ministry of Tourism for Quintana Roo has authorized resorts and hotels in Cancun to increase their occupancy to 80% in order to keep up with holiday demand. The announcement came despite the rise of COVID-19 cases in the state and a new decree by the Governor that makes the use of masks mandatory by law.
The Ministry announced that the increased occupancy permits will only be granted to properties that have been certified under Quintana Roo's new tourism safety and health protocols program.
To date, 7084 businesses in the state have been certified to provide tourism services and will have to apply for the increased capacity permit.
How The Higher Occupancy Will Affect Tourists
The Good
Prior to the announcement, authorities were asking hotels reaching the maximum 60% capacity to redirect guest to resorts with more space available. For travelers, this will mean more space at your favorite Cancun hotel without fear of your reservation being cancelled or moved to another property.
The Not So Good
Covid-19 is still real and Cancun is no exception. According to data from the Secretary of State for Health, the state of Quintana Roo saw 214 new cases over the weekend and 13 deaths.
If you're one of the three million tourists going to Cancun despite the health warnings, be aware that resorts and hotels will not be as quiet as the last couple months.
Getting up at the crack of dawn to lay out your towel on your favorite pool chair will return and social distancing may become more difficult as the capacity at resorts increases.
Tourism Businesses Are Taking Safety Precautions Seriously
Cancun has had a lot of experience dealing with high volumes of tourists during the pandemic. Since June, tourism in Cancun has rebounded more than anywhere else in North America. With Mexico's relaxed COVID-19 entry requirements and some of the best direct flight connectivity in the world right now, the resort city has had a lot practice.
Many tourists have raved about the strict protocols and have even gone as far as saying they felt safer in Mexico than the U.S.
“My wife and I visited Cancun at the end of August-beginning of September. We felt totally safe 100% of the time. The resort where we stayed did an outstanding job of requiring masks by staff and guests, the only exception being while eating/drinking. We felt fine and had no health effects. We would go again in a heartbeat,” Stephen White told Travel Off Path.
In Playa Del Carmen, the sentiment was the same.
“I was just in Playa Del Carmen at the beginning of November. As the article says, I felt safer in Mexico than I ever have in the USA. I stayed at the Riu Palace Riviera Mia, and all health protocols were being followed to the strictest measures. From the airport to the resort, and everywhere in between, everyone I saw was wearing masks correctly.” Jonathan Bhatt told Travel Off Path.
Currently the states of Quintana Roo which includes Cancun is at a ‘Yellow' on Mexico's Traffic Light System of rating the risk of COVID-19 in a given area.
At the yellow stop light, business are allowed to operate at 60% of capacity. The new tourism capacity maximum of 80% put in place by the Ministry of Tourism will reportedly overrule the current yellow light for resorts and hotels according to Reportur.
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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories
Christian
Thursday 24th of December 2020
Note that in Mexico, only entry requirements are dictated by the federal government, Cancun is in Quintana Roe, and it is the local government who comes up with all the silly measures. The latest I read is that they allow police to fine people who don’t wear face masks outside. But apparently it is not being enforced and nothing really has changed, looks like the media are trying to propagate fear. Either way, if the situation becomes untenable there, there are loads of places in the west coast where nobody wears face masks.