Cozumel News January 16, 2021

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Cozumel News January 16, 2021: My Experience Paying Property Taxes and Trash for 2021, State Traffic Light January 18 – 24, COVID Vaccine is Underway in Cozumel, COVID Testing Requirements for Flying into The United States, Canada and Mexico, and more!

My Experience Paying Property Taxes and Trash for 2021

By Sasha Bloom

I don´t know about the online process. When I started to use the online system it wouldn´t give me the INAPAM discount.  Therefore, I went in person. Some of these details might be worth sharing.

Hours

They are open Mon to Fri 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday 8 to 2 p.m.

Copies:

Needed are 2 copies of INAPAM and your Green Residency Card (front and back) and show your last year´s receipt (or you can bring your parcel number)

Where to go First:

You must go to the building next to the police department in the west side of the park (adjacent to 5th Ave.). This where they calculate what you owe. It seemed I got priority because I was INAPAM.

Where to Pay:

Payment can be made in the regular cashier inside the Municipal building or there is also a cashier in the same building where they calculated your payment.

Tips: 

Look at the people in front of you carefully, if they are carrying a file with 15 documents for 15 separate properties, tackle this person and do not let them get in front of you. You will be pulling out your hair as they endlessly use up the clerk´s time and make you wait forever. (JAJAJA! The last tip might just be wishful thinking! Ask the person nicely, they will probably let you go first!)

You can also pay your auto registration fee at the same time!  In a window closest to the entrance near Melgar, you can bring last year´s registration for your car and pay your fee here.  NOTE:  This will only save you time paying at the Motor Vehicle Office, but you still must go the DMV to complete the process.

State Traffic Light January 18 – 24

Friday January 15, 2021 from Governor Carlos Juaquin

⚠️NOTICE: We are getting closer to orange at the State Traffic Light. The risk of contagion has been on the rise in the southern zone. Let us reinforce habits! Quintana Roo remains yellow from January 18 to 24

COVID Vaccine is Underway in Cozumel

Vaccination against COVID-19 is underway in Cozumel. We are administering the Stage One which are the Health personnel and COVID-19 first line of combatants. The vaccine is the Pfizer BioNtech that consists of 2 doses.

As we reported earlier, the application will be given in 5 stages. We are already administering vaccines to people in the first. Every week more vaccines will be arriving in our state of Quintana Roo. Vaccinating the entire population will take until the end of 2021.

Mexico’s plan for COVID-19 – 19 vaccination

Stages

One: December 2020 – February 2021 – Health personnel and COVID-19 first line of combatants.

Two: February 2021 – April 2021 – The remaining Health Personnel and people age 60 and over.

Three: April 2021 – May 2021 – Persons 50 – 59 years of age.

Four: May 2021 – June 2021 – Persons 40 – 49 years of age.

Five: June 2021- March 2022- The rest of the population.

Keep informed on the COVID-19 related news in Cozumel, Mexico by joining The Cozumel Sun Facebook Group! Read VERIFIED information as it is confirmed.

COVID Testing Requirements for Flying into The United States, Canada and Mexico

By Cindy Trautwein, Michelle Wright, Aura Holguin-Resch

We recently posted to our Facebook pages the CDC requirement to be in effect that people flying into the United States must present a NEGATIVE Antigen test to board the flight.  This article is to clarify and correct what information we have thus far. Let us start with Canada.

Canada

Updated: Canada provides free testing for their citizens in Canada.

Here is their original News release:

COVID-19 testing required for people flying into Canada.

Starting January 7, 2021, air travelers 5 years of age or older are required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 molecular test result to the airline prior to boarding international flights. (Note: a 4-year-old that is turning 5 during the stay must have the test!)

The Tests

The two types of tests that are acceptable are the PCR-molecular polymerase chain reaction and the LAMP-loop-mediated isothermal amplification. These are NOT Antigen tests! They are more than likely NOT covered by insurance!

PCR test …is much more expensive, approx.$130 U.S. Appointments are recommended in advance. Allow 24 hours for results via email. Amerimed has this test for $2,335 pesos and Costamed for $2,499 pesos.

A negative test in Canada does not negate the 14-day isolate.The use of masks, social distancing, frequent handwashing and use of hand sanitizer, are still mandatory.

Canadian travelers need to make sure that they have travel and health insurance. They must check their insurance specifically for the coverage it provides should the individual or someone in their group becomes ill with COVID-19.

Remember, Cozumel has limited resources on the island (Limited ICU beds, ventilators, and trained personnel.) Requiring hospitalization while visiting takes away limited resources from locals and ex-pats living in Mexico.

It is recommended that you check in advance what plan if any your hotel or resort has in place if you test positive for COVID.  It was recently noted that a hotel chain was offering free accommodation if a traveler is infected with COVID-19 and must isolate for two weeks.

The United States

The United States is following the same procedure effective January 26^th.  Everyone entering the United States must present results of a NEGATIVE Antigen test to board a flight. This test is fast, allowing you to receive the results via email the same day.

You must show the electronic email result or paper print of the COVID-19 negative test result to the airline ticket counter within 72 hours of your airport departure from Mexico Cancun /Cozumel.

Remember, Cozumel has limited resources on the island (Limited ICU beds, ventilators, and trained personnel.) Requiring hospitalization while visiting takes away limited resources from locals and ex-pats living in Mexico.

Questions on recent vaccine exemptions- positive testing etc. can be answered in CDC link here https://www.cdc.gov/…/testing-international-air…#

Mexico

There are currently No Restrictions or Requirements flying INTO Mexico. However, the use of masks, social distancing, frequent handwashing and use of hand sanitizer, are mandatory.

Remember, Cozumel has limited resources on the island (Limited ICU beds, ventilators, and trained personnel.) Requiring hospitalization while visiting takes away limited resources from locals and ex-pats living in Mexico.

If you Test Positive

I strongly recommend flight insurance which will enable you to fly later without additional cost. I recommend flight insurance always, you never know when an illness, accident, or family emergency will require a change in travel plans!

It is also recommended that you check in advance what plan if any your hotel or resort has in place if you test positive for COVID.  It was recently noted that a hotel chain was offering free accommodation if a traveler is infected with COVID-19 and must isolate for two weeks.

Please look at policies of your resort for options and share with us. When tourism posts additional options, we will also share!

Testing in Cozumel

These are not an unusual test for us here in Cozumel – Playa del Carmen and Cancun; the tests are readily available.

Please look at the hospital or clinic Facebook page for directions, hours, and phone numbers.

At the time of testing please provide your full name as it appears on your passport (no nicknames), Date of Birth, and your flight departure details.

To Schedule Appointments:

Costamed – 987 872 9400 add (+52 in front).- Select receptionist 50 y 1 (yes there is parking) – https://www.facebook.com/CostamedCozumel/.

Amerimed – 987 869 5555 add +52 in front. – 85 y Adolfo Salas. https://m.facebook.com/AmerimedCozumel/

Hospital Médica San Miguel – Calle 6 Norte #132 entre 5ª y 10ª avenida, Col. Centro. – +52 987 872 0103 –https://www.facebook.com/hospitalmedicasanmiguel/

International Hospital

987 872 1430 add +52 in front. – On Calle 5 y 5 in el Centro. https://www.facebook.com/SSSChamberCozumel/

Private Laboratory – located in strip mall facing 30 Coldwell y 11. – NEXT to Ahorra Pharmacy on the corner strip mallhttps://www.facebook.com/Laclicsa-Laboratorios-103824124724063/

Laclicsa Laboratory – Easy to access no appt necessary. – Opens 7a.m. – 4.00 p.m. – Results same day. – 987 116 7405 or Local English contact Victoria In Playa or Cancun. – https://everythingplayadelcarmen.com/where-to-get…/…

Antigen Tests Cost in Cozumel

PLEASE share with us prices and information so we may share with the other readers.

Any questions:

#facts #cozumel #flights #usa #fliptourscozumel #cvoidhttps://www.cdc.gov/…/testing-international-air…#

How You Can Help Cozumel Survive the Pandemic

• Visit any of the Community kitchens in Cozumel.
• Drop off a supermarket gift card, food, or cash.
• Volunteer to help, serve, shop, or clean.
• Donate through the Club Rotario de Cozumel or Fundación de Cozumel. Specify the money is for the kitchens at PayPal account www.paypal.me/FundacionCozumel.
• Donate through The Cozumel Sun Paypal Account and specify the money is for the community kitchen.

The Cozumel Sun Community Assistance

Serving the Cozumel Community for 15 years

Drop in Meals, Groceries, Medical Emergencies, Medicine,  Clothing,  School Supplies, Tuitions, Testing Fees, Shelter Repairs, Business Training and Start-Up, Christmas & Three Kings Day Gifts for children.

The Cozumel Sun News promotes Cozumel Mexico Community Programs for FREE in The Cozumel Sun Facebook Group.

Sun News promotes Cozumel Mexico Community Programs for FREE in The Cozumel Sun Website.

We function ON DONATIONS ONLY. Please lend your support. Help us continue to serve the people of Cozumel. During the Pandemic, our resources have been extended to the Community Kitchens that are feeding hundreds in Cozumel.