Mexico Considering Travel Restrictions On International Arrivals

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Tourism ministers in Mexico are asking the federal government to implement some protocols to incoming international travelers in the future. Certain provisions would be proof of a negative Covid test result or proof of full vaccination against the virus, in order to safely continue international travel throughout the country.

The head of the Tourism Ministers Association, Juan Carlos Rivera Castellanos from Oaxaca, said they will take the proposal to Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs by sometime next week.

Proposal Supported By Tourism Ministers

Castellanos said in an interview that the proposal for Covid-related restrictions has the support of each state tourism minister. According to the Mexico News Daily, the shortage of restrictions thus far has been blamed for coronavirus outbreaks in some popular tourist destinations in the country and adding some health and safety screenings will help slow the spread.

If the proposal were to be approved, the association would work with Mexico’s Health Ministry to flesh out the details of which types of Covid-related restrictions to implement. Items for discussion would be protocols like on arrival and pre-departure testing, as well as proof of vaccination and which vaccines would be approved for international travel.

Limited Travel Restrictions In Mexico So Far

Mexico currently does not have any Covid-related restrictions for incoming international travelers, with no testing required on arrival for American and Canadian tourists at this time. The country has remained relatively open to tourism throughout the pandemic.

There have been no limits on international air travel as well as domestic travel. Certain health protocols have been in place for the pandemic, such as temperature checks to enter some restaurants, shops and bus stations. A health questionnaire is also required to be filled out and submitted at the airport for international and domestic travel in Mexico.

But despite Mexico remaining open, numbers show that the tourism industry suffered substantially in 2020 and into 2021. Recent reports revealed that U.S. travelers flocked to Mexico in record numbers this summer, with five major air carriers transporting over 2 million passengers to and from Mexico in the month of July alone.

No Plans For Vaccine Passports, Says President

Even though certain restrictions are up for discussion, the Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador stated last month that the country doesn’t have plans to implement any vaccine mandates and/or proof of inoculation for domestic or international travelers. As reported last month, the Mexican President said that, “We will not require that type of proof whatsoever. I want to be very clear about that.”

Earlier in July, rumors began circulating that the tourist-friendly state of Quintana Roo will require proof of vaccination and a negative Covid test result for tourists in order to enter certain hotels, restaurants and bars in the region. The tourism board later confirmed that they will only require employees working in the tourism sector to be vaccinated or produce a negative test result every 3 days.

Covid Cases This Week

Mexico’s Health Ministry reported 18,138 cases this past Thursday, with the total at just under 3.39 million. You can read the latest updates in Mexico here.

U.S. Travel Restrictions For Mexico

Along with Western Europe and parts of the Caribbean, the CDC has Mexico at a Level 3 travel health notice. Level 3 which means “high-risk” for the virus. Non-essential travel at the land border between the U.S. and Mexico is restricted until at least September 21st, but air travel remains open.

And while no details have been confirmed yet, it’s been reported that the U.S. will soon require foreign visitors to be fully vaccinated.

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