TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums Cancun - Isla Mujeres - Mexico Cancun and Playa

Here we go.
Things are getting scarce in the stores. Hotels “consolidating” guests. Even our water guy informed us we can’t increase our order. No hoarding!

Worst of all. The joy we felt at having Hard Rock Golf mostly to ourselves was short lived. Hard Rock Golf closes for a month Wednesday.

Which "things" are getting scarce? What's the overall situation there? Are airlines running normal schedules in and out?

As in the US, most bars and restaurants are closing "temporarily" (that time frame will probably be pushed out if the exposure rates here and abroad go up).

Just learned the harbor master has closed the Coz port, I am looking for more details on that. The ferries between PDC ad Coz are running as of today, that may change...

The Chedrauis, WalMarts, Sorianos, Famacias and OXXO's are all well stocked around the Playa area - even with toilet paper! Baggers at the supermarkets are typically elderly people and work only for tips. Since they are non-essential they are not present in the stores and so losing the small income they can get by working there. So PLEASE - anyone going to these stores look for a tip box if there is one, the stores may be matching your contributions to these elderly folks.

We are all practicing the social distancing requirements posed by the President and local government and hunkering down. But in talking daily with friends in our NY state hometown we feel lucky to be here. Enjoyed the beach yesterday, very quiet and surreal. Our friends are enjoying a new Spring snow squall...

The one problem all along the Riviera Maya is the workers, the vast majority of which rely on the tourism industry. Some work for a union, and some resorts and hotels are paying the laid-off workers in food vouchers to get by, letting them keep their paid vacation time, and keeping their jobs to return to June1 (or whenever). Others are not so lucky...

Near us I see Gran Coyote is open and Mayakoba is open mornings, and per the locals golf site the Bahia P is open?
Day to day I'm sure...

And of course this comes from President Almo...Just the leadership Mexicans need from Almo - amazing!!!

https://www.eluniversal.com.mx/naci...jar-de-salir-ni-tomar-medidas-exageradas

Pese a coronavirus, pide ALMO "no dejar de salir" ni tomar medidas exageradasespite coronavirus.

ALMO asks "not to stop coming out" or take exaggerated measures.

Bahia Principe is open, single in each cart, no touching flags, rakes gone, etc.

Scarce things, disinfectant wipes, alcohol, hand sanitizer, Lysol spray and things like that. Plenty of asswpie, and paper goods. Really strange, no chloroquine in any pharmacy. We started looking a few weeks ago. Most clerks had no knowledge of chloroquine. Now suddenly, they don’t even look, “No, we have none.”

Airlines, check Flightracker, we hear all kinds of stuff about WestJet but seems like things are fairly normal at the airport.

Overall situation... very strange. Restaurants closing completely or offering delivery. People losing their jobs is sad. Seems like off season, Septhambre. (septiembre hambre). Hungry September. Or just before Hurricane

People losing their jobs anywhere is sad, and desperation is going to get more intense, as time goes on. Take care, stay safe.

Yes, other than the deaths and sickness of course, that is indeed the saddest part of this everywhere...
You be safe as well Carol...

Thanks.

Most clerks had no knowledge of chloroquine.

Wierd

“Most clerks had no knowledge of chloroquine. Now suddenly, they don’t even look, “No, we have none.”



Context is important. When we first started asking about it we had to show them the name of the drug, written on paper. The clerks acted a little confused, searched their computer and the shelves before saying, “No.”

As time passed and our search widened, they took one glance at the paper and knew exactly what we wanted. Apparently we aren’t the only people searching for chloroquine.

I'd never heard of it but see it is available (by prescription) in the States and is used to treat malaria and other ailments. While researching I came across one article from yesterday -
"NBC News reported on an Arizona couple, both in their 60s, who became deathly ill after they ingested fish food that contained chloroquine phosphate." One died, obviously not the FDA-approved version of the drug...

...and even the FDA approved version of the drug, approved for OTHER uses, probably is not of any assistance with this thing. Really is sad that those people bet their lives on fake news, especially using a fish medication...

They ingested fish tank cleaner. One of the ingredients was chloroquine. Context is important.
There is fake news and there is half news.

Here’s the latest
The Food and Drug Administration on Sunday issued an emergency use authorization for hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine, decades-old malaria drugs .

Virtually all scientists say there is NO proof that chloroquine has any effect on corona.

Yes context is important. The initial report issued by NBC described the drug as used in fish food. The FDA subsequently described it as a drug used to treat fish diseases, and other sources (Forbes, for ex) said it's used to clean tanks. Regardless of the drugs intended use, the takeaway from this article should be - Do not use veterinary drugs or over the counter alternatives like the fish food/tank cleaner. Take only drugs recommended or prescribed by a licensed physician.

The FDA did issue the "Emergency Use" authorization of anti-malaria drugs chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine to "hospitalized teens and adults" as deemed appropriate with no clinical data supporting that. Our fearless leader Trump had claimed that the FDA had approved this limited use prior to the FDA authorization. Talk about a non-leader? Look at the past two weeks!!! Sorry to digress but people are dying in this WAR, and he was and is not leading our country...

I get it now!
hydro chloroquine is a ridiculous thing. I stand corrected. Please excuse my ignorance.

Sorry.

OK?

I'm confused...?

Post deleted by Carol Hill.

Let's keep the politics out of this.

So how is Playa and Cancun doing?

I can speak only to the situation around Playa...

It is very, very tough on all of the locals who depend on the tourist economy of course. So many workers with families are struggling to feed their families, while others have returned en masse to their families' homes in other areas of Mexico. We have friends who are locals and tens of thousands of their neighbors in the different outlying communities around Playa have left and they are like ghost towns there. This exodus number must be huge when taken in total throughout the Riviera Maya. Others who work for the OXXOs, supermarkets, gas stations and farmacias are more fortunate. Many restaurants are surviving on take-out orders just as in the States and Canada.

A state of emergency was declared March 30 with all beaches officially closed, along with all hotels not being able to accept reservations. Some large resorts like Azul Fives are taking care of the hundreds of employees they are laying off by providing weekly food vouchers and letting them keep their accrued vacations and their return when this is over. Some like AMResorts Secrets Akamul first locked out employees with zero warning or benefits and finally succumbed under public pressure to providing some benefits. So as in the States, Stay-At-Home orders have been issued, and only essential travel out of the home is allowed. We see plenty of everything in the stores including TP, and store employees are wearing masks and gloves. No limits on the number of people in Chedraui, Walmart, Soriano yet but the stores are maintaining a 6 ft distance requirement at checkouts and most people we see are doing that, some wearing masks and scarves. There are now checkpoints at entry ports into and out of Playa with body temp checks I'm reading...

So essentially a lock down. Flights are still available to the States, although scheduled flights are being cancelled daily now and we're monitoring them as we had planned on going to NY state at the end of this month. But that seems foolhardy at this point ands we will wait and see what is going on here and there in a month or so. Flights are disappearing quickly now though, so anyone wanting to get to the US rather than possibly spend more months here should do so now.

Hope others can provide recent info on other areas of Q Roo...

Thank you for the information. I hope everyone down there is ok. I will be back as soon as they let me. Take care.

Sure! If you want to follow the daily government COVID-19 updates -

https://qroo.gob.mx/sesa/nuevo-coronavirus-covid-19

Thanks for returning to the topic.

It's funny, I'm usually the last to even think about talking politics - sorry Carol...caught up in the emotions of the moment...
Be safe everyone!

And of course follow the US State Department and US Embassy (Mexico City) alerts alerts if planning a future trip here...

The whole world is on edge. We just have to try to keep it under control.

Yes and confusion doesn't help of course...

Feel very bad for the tens of thousands unemployed here and in other global tourist destinations. And for the BVI, USVI and PR which are still recovering from Irma and Maria...tough times indeed...

Tough times for the world. Everywhere..

Anyone down there speculating on when we might me able to come back to the area?

There is a ton of speculation and guesswork on other forums like TA. Most folks here that I talk to including doctors and government people all feel as we do - too early to even hazard a guess...especially with the lack of widespread testing there and here. We certainly don't want more people bringing it here. The number of confirmed cases and deaths are rising as in areas of the US.
If a vaccine becomes available later this year or next year that would certainly help!
It's just the huge unknown due to the lack of testing that creates so much uncertainty about the near-term and longer-term scenarios...

I guess that means that people (like me) who hope to be be travelling this summer are just kidding themselves.

Sorry man, don’t mean to be a bummer...but?

Hundreds of thousands of land travelers and cruisers alike are in the same boat. And obviously everyone who relies on the tourist industry here and around the world wants travelers to return...just safely...
It’s so much bigger than we all realize...

Agreed.

Hey crmoores, you seem to have the most information so I am calling out to you. We are scheduled to arrive in CUN on June 2nd. The wife and I both agree that if they let us on the plane we are coming. We are supposed to go to Holbox for 4 or 5 nights then on to Playa for 3 or 4 and on to Cozumel for a couple weeks. As long as Mega is open we can survive, but will a hotel be open? What is your honest opinion about this? We are still over 30 days out, and it seems to be getting better. I am hopeful. Thanks for your input.

Well I don't know anymore than bugambilias or others here, and we'd need that proverbial crystal ball to know where things will be by June 2...

But by all reports from the health ministry and gov't the peak is expected mid-May through who knows, and social distancing requirements have become much more stringent in Q Roo, specifically the municipality of Solidaridad. Face masks are now mandatory in public, only one family member allowed in stores that are open, checkpoints have been established in town to ensure folks are out for essentials only...Cozumel just tightened their curfew hours from 2200 hrs - 0500 hrs to 1900 hrs - 0500 hrs, and highways between areas are closed to non-essential traffic. All public beaches have been closed and are patrolled for compliance, and of course all bars are closed and restaurants are take-out only. A good % of the latter will never reopen, unfortunately...The confirmed cases and deaths are rising now...

All resorts and hotels are supposed to be closed except for those serving essential personnel, and they have a 15% - 20% capacity max.

The last I read of Holbox all non-residents were "forced" to leave the island and fend for themselves, some are staying in Cancun while others were able to get flights out. So I would check with the hotels you are booked with or you are considering, and perhaps the Holbox and Coz sites on TripAdvisor.

We've had 3 flights back to NY cancelled, Delta has pulled out of CUN for all of May, and we're hoping for an AA flight out later in May. We have a nice home with a beautiful pool that we share with great neighbors who are also practicing safe hygiene and distancing habits as we are, but there is just nothing else to do here other than solo golf, and I can't imagine coming down here unless the projected models are inflated and the restrictions are suddenly lifted. Some areas of Q Roo and other states will be easing restrictions May 18, but this area and Cancun will remain on lockdown until at least May 31...

I'm actually amazed that the gov't is still allowing flights into Mexico with all that they are doing to try to prevent the spread of COVID-19...Question for you ScurvyD and not to be disrespectful - But have you and your wife tested negative for COVID-19? That would make folks here who you come into contact with feel much safer...

We have not been tested. We are in an area not affected as bad as others. I can really understand not wanting people from here coming down. I'm just trying to get a little perspective from someone on the ground.I might start looking at pushing it back 30 days or so. Thanks for all your info keep it coming.

I understand, and any news I will be sure to pass along - good luck, and I hope you can get down here soon!

So whats the latest in Mexico? I know the tlights in/out our scarce to nil, but what about the long-term snow birds? Food, water, safety? All good?

The post from April 28 is still current, the only update would be the increase in confirmed cases and deaths reported through April and the first days of May...We've been here since early January and although we have it made where we are we are hoping to return to the US this week. Starting to ramp up here, just as the Tourism Council is expecting to welcome more flights starting June 1...Amazing...

There are brush fires engulfing much of the jungle here, we often smell the smoke from fires many miles away. We've had 3 days of rain since we arrived...

They are out of beer!

LOL...YES good point - No cervesa! Since the beginning of April beer production has been halted throughout the country as part of the health requirements (non-essential activity I gather) during this pandemic. Stores have started selling out and there is now no beer available in stores around us. This has in turn closed man smaller stores...

Not seeing any imports either, and at least two supermarkets (WalMart and Chedraui Velamar) have restocked these coolers with soft drinks, flavored waters and energy drinks.

But my Chedraui Velamar has plenty of my Guinness!

Wow, that's a serious problem, no beer! What about liquor, etc?

no problem there...wine as well...

OK, well I'd be fine then, as I don't drink beer, but have been known to lift a glass of wine or spirits!

Curfew in Playa now.
No one is allowed outside of their homes from 7 PM until 5AM.
Maximum number of people in a car is two.
You cannot drive a car with "out of state" plates.
Mandatory wearing of face masks when you are out of your residence. No exceptions.
These orders remain in effect until the government is secure that the virus is contained and numbers diminish...
YIKES! and still no beer.

Pesos is 24+ to USD

Yes most of these requirements have been in place since Phase III was initiated late April, the curfew starts tonite...there is a new Guinness rack at the Chedraui Velamar if you like that? I’m lucky as I usually have a hard time finding that here...
Bought a bottle of Crown Royal this week, $17 US!

Lovin’ the exchange rate!

Thanks for validating my post!

Just letting folks know they reacted quickly here, at least in my opinion. If I remember, phase III was implemented April 21? They’ve been tightening since and are enforcing the “one family member” limit in stores. If security sees a couple hook up (after entering separately) they escort one out of the store. Stores in the US are much more lax according to friends. The curfew doesn’t affect us too much other than neighbors walking their dogs, but it does affect those who are working late to feed their families.
But the sad part is the numbers are increasing drastically...

Glad to hear you guys are doing OK. We originally planned to come down June 2nd, but have decided to delay until July 7th. Think it will be okay by then?

All we know for sure is this, and these numbers are probably ay under reported as in the US -
https://qroo.gob.mx/sesa/nuevo-coronavirus-covid-19

I probably mentioned earlier that there are several threads on the popular travel forums discussing the proposed “opening” to tourists on June 1, the new health requirements that all tourist-related activities and resort/hotel operations must meet, and the terrible rise in confirmed cases and deaths in Solidaridad, which includes Playa, and Benito Juarez, which includes Cancun. The opening and COVID-19 updated are very divergent discussions going on at once...Sounds familiar, huh? So no happy updates at this point, sorry to say...

No.

There are tons of threads on other travel forums talking about the Tourism Council’s agenda for hotels in Cancun and other areas to open by the magical date of June 1. Below is the latest government release that I have seen from the Secretaries of Health and Economy. The link to the map shows the regions and their status, the green areas are entering Stage 1 today...

The link to the associated map is here -
https://s3.amazonaws.com/uploads.vivook.com/Attachleparcmx/api/img/AVISO.jpeg

MAY 14 -
Mexico “Restart” update from Health/Economy Secretaries

MEXICO RESTARTES ACTIVITIES NEXT MAY 18 IN 269 MUNICIPALITIES

The "Plan of Return to the New Normality" will be made up of three stages:

-Stage 1

The process of reopening begins May 18 in the "municipalities of hope", those that do not have contagion, about 269 in 15 states.

Stage 2

-18 to 31 May, when companies will prepare for the return to the "new normal".

Stage 3

-1 of June when the National Day of Healthy Distance ends, and a traffic light system is implemented by regions with colors in red, orange, yellow and green.

Red: Only essential activities including mining, construction, and transportation manufacturing as essential activities.

Orange: Essential and nonessential can work at a reduced level. In the open, but small public space.

Yellow: They can operate all essential and non-essential activities without restriction. Minor restrictions for open space.

Green: There are no restrictions and you return to class.

Jorge Alcocer Varela, Health Secretary, said that it is a progressive plan for the restart of social, economic and school activities.

He indicated that "we are in the critical part of the pandemic, but we are doing well."

He considered the epidemic as a difficult experience in health and social matters, after 51 days of healthy distance.

Graciela Márquez Colín, Secretary of Economy, explained that the plan is orderly and focuses on privileging life and health.

i guess I'm a little surprised that Quntana Roo is Red?? Maybe I shouldn't be. Hopefully our July 7th date will work out. Thanks for the information.

Yes Benito Juarez (where Cancún is) is the real hot spot. Let’s hope the calmer areas of the states of Q Roo and Yucatan will get approved for an earlier Stage 1 restart even though Cancun is still struggling...It’s hard to imagine though with so many visitors flying into CUN...

Good for the Govt to not just see money. But hopefully 1 July might be a better situation for virus and resorts

Yes there have been so many posts on another popular travel forum about the Tourism Council’s proposed reopening of Cancun and the RM on June 1 that tons of people have been biting at the bit to get flights booked. The Health Secretary’s release above went largely ignored, even by the destination experts, because it wasn’t as popular I assume. Now the DE’s are posting repetitive threads on the TC backing off...
It is amusing to see all these threads, but a minefield for someone looking for factual updates...

Thanks for all your information. I'm not savvy enough to figure out the other popular website. Hopefully we will be down in July. Thanks again.

Reported Sunday...

#Important #June8reactivation
The economic reactivation of the north of Quintana Roo begins with an orange traffic light

The government of the state of Quintana Roo published the weekly traffic light from June 8 to 14 for the gradual reopening of economic activities of Playa del Carmen as ORANGE.

This means that tourism companies, water and theme parks, car rentals, marinas and water activities, travel agencies and tourism guides, restaurants, cinemas as well as offices, stationeries and shopping centers, will be able to operate at 30% of their capacity.

With this change in the traffic light, the economic reactivation of the northern zone of Quintana Roo begins, including the municipalities of Tulum, Solidaridad, Puerto Morelos, Benito Juárez, Lázaro Cárdenas and Isla Mujeres.

If you are a business owner and want to know the protocols to operate again, go to the economic development office in your municipality.

Beaches will open when the traffic light changes to yellow.

Beaches are expected to open for Isla Mujeres, Playa Del Carmen and Tulum next Monday, June 15. Awaiting word on Cancun...

Hold your horses...the status in the north of Q Roo may now stay at Red for another week...waiting for confirmation...
The state is considering the feasibility of rapid texting of all tourists entering the state by air, land, and sea. Certainly an ambitious initiative and it should include residents returning to the state as well...again, waiting for further info...

A translated source for the red color continuation
https://www.riviera-maya-news.com/c...uthern-region-continues-in-red/2020.html

Staying Orange through July 5...

Hello my friends. Not sure if you made it home. We head down tomorrow to Holbox. After that we will be in playa for a few days. We have our negative covid test with us. Drop me a message if you want to meet or have some advice. Be safe and thanks for all the information.

Glad you are healthy, be safe and keep those around you there safe. Some info on Holbox reopening to tourists, hopefully those coming in have tested negative like you, or are not asymptomatic -

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTop...sts-Holbox_Island_Yucatan_Peninsula.html

The latest update for the rest of Q Roo on July 6 - trying to stem the tide -
https://www.riviera-maya-news.com/i...strictions-put-back-into-place/2020.html

Not much going on here. We have the Hotel beach and pretty much everything to ourselves. We have masks and hand sanitizer. Hopefully we are being respectful to all. Have a great day.

Hope the beach and water are nice and beautiful for you guys!

A little seaweed in playa. 5th street is totally under construction. Not really much open. We head over to cozumel in a couple days. Stay safe everyone. By the way whale sharks were awesome. Shout out to VIP Holbox tours and transfers. Thanks Willi.

Yes the southern area of Q Roo is struggling with new cases and the restarting process is in jeapordy. I see authorities on Coz are reportedly considering a shutdown due to the increase in infections there...
None of this is surprising news since there are zero restrictions on visitors from US and other hot spots...

We were so hopeful that evidence of a negative test would be required for foreigners (and residents) to get through CUN, as is required in other Caribbean nations. But that never happened, and now we’re just hoping that Q Roo can survive and we can safely return to our home there by January...

Be safe on Coz...and follow the news there as you get closer to heading over...

Heading over tomorrow. We will keep an eye out for news. Please.post if you hear something too. Thanks.

Will do...and I misspoke above, sorry - they’re considering a return to red, not a shutdown...that just closes non-essential businesses. The number of deaths there has climbed from 10 in May to 133 yesterday and I’m sure that is a concern...
I’m sure you will enjoy your visit!

We are enjoying ourselves for sure. The virus us being taken much more seriously here than at home. Masks are mandatory. Temp checks everywhere you go. We feel very safe here. Not sure about the boom boom all inclusive where the young people go. Hope everyone us staying safe and healthy.

Holbox reporting today 30 new positive COVID-19 cases since opening the island to tourists 2 weeks ago when there were zero reported...

Wow. That is not good. I don't think there were 30 people staying in the hotel we were at. I was hoping tourist wouldn't bring it down, but it was probably going to happen anyway. We felt very isolated in Holbox, Playa, and Cozumel, but it looked like plenty of people going to resorts in Cancun.

I got a text from our friend on Holbox today. He said that the locals on the island that don't work in the tourist industry are not taking the virus and protocols serious. Not wearing masks, or distancing, or washing good. One of them traveled to Merida and contracted the virus, then brought it back home. Unfortunately 2 people died and 3 in the hospital recovering. Hopefully this will get better soon.