Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Mexico City, Mexico (April 7, 2020)
Location: Mexico
Event: Mexico COVID-19 Update: Holy Week (Semana Santa) Travel (April 7, 2020)
The annual tradition of Mexican Americans visiting family and friends in Mexico during Holy Week (Semana Santa) is one of the many traditions that bind our countries together. Unfortunately, this year is not like any other. Travel during the COVID-19 pandemic poses a real health risk to both travelers and those who receive them. Last month the United States and Mexico agreed to limit cross-border travel at land ports of entry to essential travel only. The Department of State has issued a Level 4 Global Health Advisory urging U.S. citizens to reconsider international travel. That includes those crossing the land border in private vehicles or buses. Mexican states have instituted health checks that could result in U.S. citizens being returned to the United States or placed in mandatory quarantine. For these reasons, and for the health and safety of citizens on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border, we urge U.S. citizens planning to visit family and friends in Mexico this Holy Week (Semana Santa) to stay home and postpone any other non-essential travel.
Please watch Ambassador Christopher Landau’s March 31 Virtual Town Hall on the Embassy’s Facebook page to learn about other recommendations for U.S. citizens in Mexico.
Actions to Take:
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. To modify your enrollment and subscription to Alerts, you must log in to STEP.
- Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.
- For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
- Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
- Check with your airlines, cruise lines, or travel operators regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
- Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in Mexico.
- Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States. Check Port of Entry wait times at the U.S. border and visit Customs and Border Protection’s latest updates.
- Learn about the latest status of consular operations at the Embassy, Consulates, and Consular Agencies.
- Call the Mexican Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 information hotline at 800 0044 800 for local information while in Mexico. English-speaking operators are often, but not always, available. Visit the local government COVID-19 website for updated information.
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.