U.S. Embassy & Consulates
in Mexico

The number of confirmed and suspected COVID-19 cases reached its peak nationwide by mid-July and began a decrease that lasted until mid-September.  Cases then increased until mid-November.  The end of November resulted in a slight decrease and plateau.  There is still not enough data to evaluate with certainty epidemiological trends in December.  In many states, there has been a considerable increase in the number of cases as well as of hospitalizations.  Mexico City, Mexico State, Nuevo Leon, Guanajuato, and Sonora report the highest number of active cases for the preceding two-week period as of December 9.  The states reporting the highest rates of hospital occupancy are Mexico City, Mexico State, Guanajuato, Durango, and Hidalgo as of December 9.  Mexican health authorities have reiterated calls for people to stay home as much as possible and leave home only for work and essential activities according to the color assigned to each state under the national stoplight system, always following social distance measures, frequent hand hygiene, and mask-wearing.  Schools remained closed in nearly all states.

The Mexican government has not yet approved a COVID-19 vaccine.  When one is approved, we encourage you to consult with your local health care professional about how you can receive the vaccine.  We encourage U.S. citizens resident in Mexico to follow host country developments and guidelines.

The national stoplight system allows for a gradual phase-in of additional economic activities in states and municipalities.  The four metrics to determine the four colors that indicate risk level from maximum to minimum (red, orange, yellow, and green) are the trend in numbers of new cases, hospital occupancy trends, current hospital occupancy rates, and the percentage of positive cases.

Two states are designated “red” under the federal stoplight system between December 7 and 20 (Baja California and Zacatecas).  Under red, only essential activities are allowed.  Essential activities include: the provision of medical services and supplies, grocery delivery services, operation of grocery stores, restaurant delivery and carryout services, assurance of public safety, maintenance of fundamental economic functions and government social programs, work in critical infrastructure, construction, and manufacturing of transportation equipment. Hotels are limited to 25 percent occupancy for guests working on critical activities.  Parks are also limited to 25 percent occupancy.

Twenty-four states are designated “orange” under the federal system between December 7 and 20 (Aguascalientes, Baja California Sur, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Guerrero, Guanajuato, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Mexico City, Mexico State, Michoacan, Morelos, Nayarit, Nuevo Leon, Puebla, Quintana Roo, Queretaro, San Luis Potosi, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tamaulipas, Tabasco, and Yucatan).  Under orange, hotels, restaurants, barbershops, open-air parks, and gyms are limited to 50 percent capacity.  Markets and supermarkets will operate at 75 percent capacity.  Additionally, shopping malls, churches, cinemas, theaters, museums, and cultural events will be limited to 25-percent capacity.

Three states are designated “yellow” under the federal stoplight system between December 7 and 20 (Colima, Oaxaca, and Tlaxcala).  Under yellow, all work activities are permitted.  Public space may open on a regular basis, while enclosed public spaces can open with reduced capacity.  All activities should be carried out with basic prevention measures.  People at higher risk of developing COVID-19 symptoms should continue to take extra precautions.

Three states are designated “green” under the federal stoplight system between December 7 and 20 (Campeche, Chiapas, and Veracruz).  Under green, all economic and social activities, including school, are permitted while taking appropriate precautions.

Please see information on additional state and local restrictions and links to state COVID-19 websites in the “Local Resources” section on our website.  This information is not comprehensive and is subject to change without notice.  Please confirm directly with the local government and other trusted sources for more information on closures and restrictions in different Mexican states and municipalities.

The United States and Mexico entered a joint initiative March 21 restricting non-essential travel along the U.S.-Mexico land border to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus; this restriction has been extended until January 21.  Non-essential travel includes tourism and recreational travel.  These restrictions apply to travel in both directions across the border.  Mexican border and local authorities are conducting enforcement actions to discourage non-essential travel in some areas.  Travelers entering Mexico by land from the United States may be denied admission if the purpose of their visit is considered non-essential.  We recommend that travelers carry evidence of the essential nature of their visit and evidence of their resident status in Mexico, if applicable.  Travelers entering Mexico via land may be subject to temperature checks and additional health screening.  Travelers may experience significant delays and face the possibility of being returned to the United States or asked to quarantine in Mexico.  At some U.S. ports of entry, operating hours have changed; please review CBP’s Port of Entry wait times web page for additional information.  Please see the DHS website or embassy fact sheet for more information.

Passengers and aircrew members arriving at and departing from Mexican airports may be subject to health screenings, including temperature checks.  Those exhibiting symptoms may be subject to additional health screenings and/or asked to quarantine voluntarily.

The Department of State issued a Level 3 Health Advisory for Mexico on September 8, advising U.S. citizens to reconsider travel to Mexico due to COVID-19, and to exercise increased caution in Mexico due to crime and kidnapping.  Some areas have increased risk – read the entire Travel Advisory.  The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in many areas of Mexico, as travel by U.S. government employees to certain areas is prohibited or significantly restricted.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice for Mexico due to COVID-19 on December 2.

Assistance: 

• For Emergency Assistance for U.S. citizens in Mexico, call (55) 8526 2561 from Mexico or 1-844-528-6611 from the United States.
• The U.S. Embassy in Mexico City is located at:
• Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtémoc, 06500, Ciudad de México, Phone:  +52-55-5080-2000, Fax:  +52-55-5080-2005, E-Mail:  ACSMexicoCity@state.gov
• State Department – Consular Affairs:  888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
• Follow the U.S. Embassy in Mexico on Facebook and Twitter.
• Review the Crime and Safety Reports for Mexico.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations.  Review the Traveler’s Checklist.