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The Governor of Jalisco announced new restrictions on Wednesday including closing all bars and nightclubs in Puerto Vallarta. The new measures will go into effect August 1st and last for the entire month. The Delta variant is spreading rapidly in the city causing a spike in Covid-19 cases which has resulted in the state announcing several new measures. Here is everything travelers need to know about the new restrictions in Puerto Vallarta and surging cases in Mexico's tourism hotspots.
Several new restrictions will go into place for Puerto Vallarta August 1 including:
- Bars and nightclubs will be closed for the month
- Restaurants must close by midnight
- Restaurant capacity reduced to 50%
- All large public events have been cancelled for the remainder of the year including Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)
- Attendance at stadiums reduced to 33% and face masks must be worn
- Hotels must keep their occupancy below 80% and 50% in public spaces
Covid-19 Cases Rising In Puerto Vallarta
On Friday, Puerto Vallarta reported that there were 1851 active cases in the city which is the highest number since January. In the last week, cases have rose an additional 17% and the resort city is reporting more active cases than Guadalajara which is the second largest city in Mexico.
Hospitals in Puerto Vallarta are currently operating at 90-100% of capacity in designated Covid-19 beds.
The Governor of Jalisco said that the new measures are required to prevent Covid-19 from “putting us back on the ropes,” reported PVDN. Puerto Vallarta is one of the most popular destinations in Mexico and will be soon preparing for high season which sees millions of American and Canadian tourists descend upon the city over the fall and winter months.
Cancun, Cabo and Mazatlán Experiencing Record High Cases
The trend of rising Covid-19 cases is continuing across tourism hotspots in Mexico. Cancun, Los Cabos and Mazatlán are all experiencing record high cases amid strong tourism surges. The third wave fueled by the contagious delta variant is hitting the destinations hard.
“The delta variant has a strong presence in the Yucatan peninsula, particularly Quintana Roo and in Baja California Sur, where around 80% of new tests are now delta,” said Alejandro Macias, who was in charge of Mexico’s H1N1 epidemic back in 2009.
The number of cases is rising so rapidly in Cancun that the Hard Rock Hotel has designated two floors for tourists who have tested positive at the resort and must quarantine in their rooms. Resorts are now offering free nights to those who test positive and are unable to return home.
Mazatlán which is in the state of Sinaloa has returned to a ‘Red' status which is the highest level of alert for Covid-19. The beach city has become the most popular destination for domestic tourists this summer bringing in millions of people and causing a rise in cases. The city has now erected sanitation filters at entrances to the city and is using drones to patrol beaches and remind tourists to keep their distance.
Earlier this week, it was reported that both Cancun and Mazatlán would begin requiring proof of vaccination to enter businesses but in Quintana Roo the Governor clarified this would only apply to employees. In Mazatlán, confusion over the proof of vaccination still remains as local news outlets report the measure only applies to locals and not tourists.
Read More:
Mexico Resorts Will Give Tourists 14 Day Free Stays If They Test Positive
Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19
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Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Kylie
Saturday 31st of July 2021
Headed there next Saturday. Fully vaccinated of course! But kinda scared right now.
Merrall Gillam
Saturday 31st of July 2021
The surge in cases in Mexico seems to be happening at popular tourist beach towns. But I wonder if that focused reporting is happening because no information has been collected about inland cities and towns, such as Oaxaca and Pueblo, and other places where it is normally good to visit to attend Spanish schools.For example, I've been thinking of going to Oaxacz to do a semester of study there, but I read that tourists/backpackers in Oaxaca are really irresponsible about spending time in crowded bars, discos and restaurants without wearing masks or practising social distancing. It seems that the city authorities are not enforcing - or even suggesting - safety measures, although the Delta coronavirus is causing surges all over the world.
Jan
Thursday 5th of August 2021
@Christian, Sweden has had 1.1 million cases and over 14,0000 deaths. Please o research before making false statements
Holly Dietrich
Monday 2nd of August 2021
@jenny, I agree w/you 100% People need to use common sense and be a grown up adult! Please stop letting governments control by fear and misrepresentation!!
Christian
Monday 2nd of August 2021
@jenny, I agree with you. There is no correlation of cases/death and the mask mandates/vaccines. On the contrary, places like Sweden that never had a mask mandate has no death and barely any cases. Vaccinated people should avoid traveling due to higher chance of blood clots in airplanes. Besides, assuming that people got the vaccine because they are fearful of a virus, I suggest they stay locked at home and let normal people enjoy life without being pestered.
Koly
Sunday 1st of August 2021
@Merrall Gillam, I live in Puerto Vallarta. I'd recommend you come to Mexico. True, the tourists/backpackers are very irresponsible. If you stay away from them you should be fine. Don't skip your education opportunity because of the selfish nature of others.
jenny
Sunday 1st of August 2021
@Merrall Gillam,
forget about these anecdotal non-sensical 'safety measures' such as masks and social distancing. There's been little to no difference whether they're followed or not. Who told you that they work at all?
Otherwise, name me several countries where those 'measures' were followed and they, and only they, really worked.
There's no country where they've *clearly* worked.
I'm aware that proponents can *always* argue - "but if they safety measure hadn't been in place, there'd been a gazillion of cases and deaths!" No, they wouldn't be. There'd be almost no noticiable difference.
Dennis G Mahood
Saturday 31st of July 2021
If we have to cancel are Playa trip again this would be three yrs in a row, we're done I'll cancel and stay home. This whole thing is be.
Holly Dietrich
Monday 2nd of August 2021
@Koly, Hell Yeah to that!!
Rod
Sunday 1st of August 2021
@Dennis G Mahood, Hey Dennis , as I’m sure you’re disappointed, it’s the new world isn’t it, we too have had to cancel our vacation three times now. The only good part is it’s a cruise and they keep giving us better and better offers as the trips cancel, I think by next year they’ll be paying us to go on their cruise LOL. Keep well
Koly
Sunday 1st of August 2021
@Dennis G Mahood,
Come visit, enjoy yourself. If you're responsible, it won't matter what others do. Viva Mexico! Viva Puerto Vallarta!!