CDC warns Americans against traveling to Mexico due to COVID-19

People who become infected with the coronavirus while traveling abroad may be denied re-entry to the US until the quarantine is completed.

For people planning a getaway to Mexico during the holidays, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stern advice: Don’t.

The CDC assigned its highest-level advisory Saturday against traveling to Mexico, which has surpassed 1 million coronavirus cases.

“Travelers should avoid all travel to Mexico,” the United States’ top health protection agency said in a written statement declaring the Level 4, or red, advisory.

The warning came only days before Thanksgiving, when thousands of travelers typically flock to Mexico’s tourist destinations. In the advisory, the CDC said people may increase their chance of getting and spreading COVID-19 by traveling there.

The warning also noted that if people become infected with COVID-19 while traveling abroad, they may be denied reentry.

“If you are exposed to someone with COVID-19 during travel, you might be quarantined and not permitted to return to the United States until 14 days after your last known exposure,” according to the advisory.

Mexico’s Ministry of Health reported 1,049,358 confirmed coronavirus cases and 101,926 COVID-19 deaths in the country as of Monday.

Peak travel season

The top three global destinations for U.S. travelers this year are in Mexico: Cancún, San José del Cabo and Puerto Vallarta.

“Mexico has been a leader in tourism recovery since COVID-19 began,” according to the Allianz insurance company. “The country’s accessibility and safety protocols, such as the restricted capacity at resorts to allow for adequate social distancing, may be helping to drive demand, coupled with the promise of a warm-climate escape.”

But in all three of those tourist destinations, there has been a high rate of COVID-19.

In the municipality of Benito Juárez, Quintana Roo, where Cancún is, 6,585 COVID-19 cases have been reported. In the municipality of Los Cabos, in Baja California Sur, 4,233 cases have been confirmed. And in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, 2,507 cases have been recorded.

COVID-19 testing isn’t widespread in Mexico, so former health officials have said the numbers of cases and deaths could be higher than reported.

Although restrictions have been imposed on crossing the U.S. border with Mexico by land, the limits don’t apply to air travel.

From DFW Airport, six airlines fly to many Mexican destinations, including Cancún, Puerto Vallarta and San José del Cabo.

If you choose to travel to any of them despite the warnings about the coronavirus, the CDC has issued these recommendations.

Before traveling

• Get tested 1-3 days before travel.
• Do not travel if you are waiting for the results, if you test positive or if you feel sick.
• Follow all entry directions at your destination and provide all the information required about your health.

During travel

• Wear a mask.
• Keep at least 6 feet of distance from other people not traveling with you.
• Wash your hands frequently or use hand sanitizer.
• Monitor your health for signs of illness.
• Follow all the recommendations from health officials at your destination.
• Before traveling back to the U.S., get tested 1-3 days before returning.

After you travel

• Get tested 3-5 days after returning.
• Stay home for seven days after your trip.
• If you don’t get tested, it is safest to stay home for 14 days.
• If you had a known exposure to COVID-19 while abroad, delay your return and quarantine with your travel companions for 14 days after exposure.
• Get tested and monitor your health.

Source: Dallas Morning News

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