In The Cozumel Sun News and Information, COVID-19 Virus, the effects in Cozumel, Mexico and Upgraded Travel Advisory for US Citizens. New Ferry Schedules!!!
Since the onset of the COVID-19 Virus, I have been posting in The Cozumel Sun Facebook page and The Cozumel Sun Facebook Group as directives from the Mexican Federal, State and Local Governments come in.
We did not include translations as most pages can be translated. However, it was brought to my attention that is not the case. I am therefore back tracking and pesenting the directives here, and in future The Cozumel Sun News and Information editions.
Mexican Government Directive on COVID-19 CRISIS
1. National Act of Safe Distance
Wash Hands Frequently
Preferably with soap and water, (liquid soap is preferred) and for a minimum of 30 seconds.
If you do not have access to soap and water, you may use a liquid antibacterial gel with a minimum base of 70% alcohol.
Respiratory Etiquette
Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze using the inside of your bent elbow.
Wash hands after worth.
Healthy Distance
Avoid Handshakes, Hugging and Kissing.
Effective Recovery
Do not leave home if you have symptoms of COVID-19 (Fever and/or Cough).
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2. Temporary Suspension of non-essential Activities
The secretary of Health recommends the temporary suspension of non-essential activities in the public, social, and private sectors effective Monday, March 20, 2020.
Nonessential activity is one that does not affect the substantive activity of a public, social, or private organization to the rights of its users.
Non-essential activities that involve the congregation or mobility of people are suspended, from various geographical regions, and replaced by activities that promote healthy distance.
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3. Rescheduling of mass attendance events
The Secretary of Health recommends postponing, until further notice, events that more than 5,000 people gather.
4. Protection and Care for Older Adults (Seniors)
If any family member has symptoms, ask them to maintain telephone contact instead of visiting and risking contagion.
If someone helps you carry out activities daily, plan who can support you if that person becomes ill.
When they visit you, avoid direct contact and kiss / hug greetings.
keep no less than 1.5 meters.
Ask them to purchase your food and provisions so that you may not have to go out.
When coughing or sneezing use a disposable handkerchief or utilize the inside of you bent elbow to cover your nose or your mouth.
Wash your hands between 10 to 20 times per day with soap and water for no less than 20 seconds, do not forget your wrists.
Or use anti biotic solutions with a base of no less than 70% alcohol.
Disinfect surfaces in your home with Clorox dissolved in water no less than once per day.
Use one tablespoon of Clorox (10ml) for every liter of water.
Remember there are no medications for this virus, do not self-medicate!
Do not touch your face, eyes, or nose.
If you must touch your face, wash your hands first.
Here is your community on-line Resource! Can’t find an answer? Contact The Cozumel Sun News and we will assist you!
Aurita’s Cozumel Corner
US Department of State Advisory, March 19, 2020
The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19.
In countries where commercial departure options remain available, U.S. citizens who live in the United States should arrange for immediate return to the United States, unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period.
If you Live Abroad
U.S. citizens who live abroad should avoid all international travel. Many countries are experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks and implementing travel restrictions and mandatory quarantines, closing borders, and prohibiting non-citizens from entry with little advance notice.
Cancelations
Airlines have cancelled many international flights and several cruise operators have suspended operations or cancelled trips. If you choose to travel internationally, your travel plans may be severely disrupted, and you may be forced to remain outside of the United States for an indefinite timeframe.
Embassy Personnel
On March 14, the Department of State authorized the departure of U.S. personnel and family members from any diplomatic or consular post in the world who have determined they are at higher risk of a poor outcome if exposed to COVID-19 or who have requested departure based on a commensurate justification. These departures may limit the ability of U.S. Embassies and consulates to provide services to U.S. citizens.
For the latest information regarding COVID-19, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) website.
You are encouraged to visit travel.state.gov to view individual Travel Advisories for the most urgent threats to safety and security. Please also visit the website of the relevant U.S. embassy or consulate to see information on entry restrictions, foreign quarantine policies, and urgent health information provided by local governments.
Enroll in STEP
Travelers are urged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. The Department uses these Alerts to convey information about terrorist threats, security incidents, planned demonstrations, natural disasters, etc. In an emergency, please contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate or call the following numbers: 1(888) 407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1 (202) 501-4444 from other countries or jurisdictions.
If you decide to travel abroad or are already outside the United States:
- Consider returning to your country of residence immediately using whatever commercial means are available.
- Have a travel plan that does not rely on the U.S. Government for assistance.
- Review and follow the CDC’s guidelines for the prevention of coronavirus.
- Check with your airline, cruise lines, or travel operators regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
- Go to travel.state.gov to view individual Travel Advisories for the most urgent threats to safety and security.
- Visit our Embassy webpages on COVID-19 for information on conditions in each country or jurisdiction.
- See the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States
- Visit Keeping workplaces, homes, schools, or commercial establishments safe.
Keep informed on the COVID-19 related news in Cozumel, Mexico by joining The Cozumel Sun Facebook Group!
We will forward VERIFIED information as it is confirmed. Please do not be fooled, there is a lot of misinformation floating around Facebook and other media! There are some people determined to spread panic. As of tonight, Cozumel is VIRUS FREE!
Stay safe everyone!
Cover picture courtesy of Mr. Joe Starr
Does anyone now if they are screening people on the ferries?
Not that I am aware of. All that I have seen is the disinfecting of surfaces, providing disinfectant Gel and even sinks to wash hands- Both ferries have scaled their routes drastically as of today. I expect further cuts as less and less passengers use them.
Other than actually testing for the virus, screening (like taking temperature) is only minimally effective. People can be spreading the virus up to 5 days before they have symptoms. That’s why social distancing is so important. You can have it and not know it.
There was an accident on Friday march 13th involving the chac choc glass bottom boat snorkeling tour, on our tour an elderly lady stopped breathing and we preformed CPR on her until the shore where she was taken by ambulance. Do you have any knowledge of this incident? I would like to know if she survived, I cannot get answers from anyone involved. She was picked up ai the pier just south of the allegro pier and I think that is where she left my ambulance. This incident is haunting me, he left for home the next day so I was unable to find her friend whose name is Ivy.
Please if you know of this let me know so i can have closure. Thank you
So very sorry it has taken so long to respond. I tried checking various sources to no avail. It is quite comon to see or read about an incident and not hear anything else about it unfortunately. Privacy rules make it impossible to get anything out of the hospitals.
Not that I know of!