CANCUN & RIVIERA MAYA BEGIN 2ND PHASE OF TOURISM REOPENING AS RISK LEVEL DROPS

The Governor of Quintana Roo has announced that the entire state has a reduced risk of COVID-19 transmission as the epidemiological light was dropped from ‘orange’ to ‘yellow’.

This allows Cancun, Playa Del Carmen and the Riviera Maya to begin the next stage of tourism reopening which includes increased hotel capacities and the opening of archaeological tourist attractions. 

Quintana Roo Governor, Carlos Joaquín made the announcement on Thursday in a press release stating that the entire state would now be dropped to a lower transmission risk of ‘yellow’.

Many tourists have been waiting for the announcement of the state’s famous archaeological sites to reopen.

As of September 13th, 2020 travelers will once again be able to visit the following archaeological zones:

• Tulum
• Cobá
• San Gervasio
• Muyil

Tourists climbing the Nohoch Mul pyramid at the Coba archaeological site prior to the pandemic, Coba is a large ruined city of the Pre-Columbian Mayan civilization

Hotels, restaurants, historical sites, theme parks, golf courses and tourist services will now be able to operate at 60% capacity. 

Prior to the announcement tourism businesses had been limited to a maximum of 30%.

The news will be a welcome relief to hotels in Cancun that had been filled to the 30% capacity after a surge in tourism resulted in over 70,000 tourists to the beach city in its first month after reopening. 

Other services that impact tourism will be able to operate at an increased capacity of 60% include: 

• Beaches
• Parks
• Religious services
• Theaters and cinemas
• Shopping centers
• Department stores
• Manufacturing
• Real estate
• Hairdressers
• Spas
• Beauty salons

Tourists Arrive at the Cancun International airport during COVID-19 wearing face masks

Outdoor fitness clubs and facilities will be able to operate at 70% capacity and indoor gyms will be limited to 50% capacity to allow for social distancing. 

The following business remain closed: 

• Schools
• Bars,
• Nightclubs,
• Discos
• Entertainment centers

 Mexico has been a popular destination during the COVID-19 pandemic for its easy entry requirements that do not require PCR testing or quarantines on arrival. 

Last week the Dominican Republic followed suit by eliminating their own requirement for a negative PCR test and even adding free travel insurance for visitors to the island.