CDC Warns Americans to Skip Traveling to Mexico

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.

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.

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.

Source: Dallas Morning News