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So, what is happening in our nearest southern neighbors; and a travelogue. - Speedy - 04-05-2020
We are in a Mexico City on a layover from our return to the states after my wife’s study-abroad group was evacuated from Guatemala on March 16, the only international airport in that country closing that same night. My wife and I were required to leave on the 19th. We were driven by private car to the border with Mexico where we walked across, going through a medical screening upon entry to Mexico. From the frontier it was a short taxi ride to an airport where we took a flight to Mexico City (where our car was parked).
We typically stop to visit her family although this time there was only a brief visit with her two sisters and her brother as they are sheltering in place. We are also sheltering in place at the family home, eventually sending the maids home (on paid leave) while we look after the place because no one lives here anymore. The Mexican government “declared a national health emergency on March 30 and imposed restrictions on non-essential activities in the public, private, and social sectors until April 30. Essential activities include medical services and supplies, public safety, fundamental economic functions, government social programs, and critical infrastructure. Schools in Mexico are also closed until April 30. Health authorities in several Mexican border states are discouraging all visitors from traveling to Mexico over the Easter week. On April 3, Mexican Tourism and Health officials instructed hotels to cancel new and existing reservations and close for non-essential business.”
We still eat one meal a day, five days a week, take-out but at least the choices are varied. We also grocery shop one day a week (at the grocery we patronize the variety and quantity dwarf what is available in the largest grocery store in our city in Minnesota). Unfortunately, mass transit (buses and the metro) is still running so the virus will spread rapidly.
We still get email notices from the Dept. of State concerning Guatemala. The president of a Guatemala is a real medical doctor, he doesn’t just play one on TV. Here is the Dept. of State notice for travelers in Guatemala (note: the US equivalent for ‘departments’ is ‘states’):
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“Health Alert: U.S. Embassy Guatemala City, Guatemala - (April 4, 2020)
Location: Guatemala
Event: Today (Saturday, April 4th), Guatemalan president Alejandro Giammattei announced that all travel between departments in Guatemala will be prohibited from tomorrow, April 5th at 4:00 p.m. until Sunday, April 12th at 11:59 p.m. The sale, purchase, and public consumption of alcoholic beverages will also be prohibited from Monday, April 6 at 12:00 a.m. until Monday, April 13 at 6:00 a.m.
These measures are in addition to the travel restrictions that President Giammattei has previously announced (outlined below). U.S. citizens in Guatemala are reminded of the following:
Curfew (Toque de queda)
President Giammattei has imposed a nationwide curfew, which will remain in place until April 12. The curfew lasts from 4:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. each day. Every individual in Guatemala — including U.S. citizens — is required to remain inside their domicile during curfew hours (with exceptions for health and security, and for restaurant delivery services). The Guatemalan government may extend the deadline of the curfew at any time. The U.S. Embassy reminds U.S. citizens in Guatemala that they are expected to obey the curfew, which is being enforced by Guatemalan law enforcement. Violators of the curfew restrictions risk arrest. More information on the curfew can be found on the U.S. Embassy website.
Closing of Borders (Cierre de fronteras)
The Guatemalan government is currently barring entry to most non-Guatemalans (with certain specific exceptions for health and security) – by its land, sea, and air borders. The U.S. Embassy continues to work with the Guatemalan government to permit departure of certain flights for U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents from Guatemalan airspace to the United States. The Guatemalan government can adjust its policy on national border closings at any time. We refer you to the Guatemalan government for updated information on its national borders.
Closure of Beaches, Lakes, Rivers, and Tourist Sites
As a social distancing measure during Holy Week, President Giammattei announced the closure of all beaches, lakes, rivers and other tourist sites in Guatemala through Sunday, April 12th. All tourist travel to these areas is prohibited.
Additional Department and Municipality-Level Restrictions
Beyond the national-level restrictions mentioned above, different municipalities within the country may adopt additional restrictive measures on travel and outdoor activities. Please monitor local news reports to receive the latest information. American Citizens in need of immediate assistance should contact the Guatemalan Tourism Institute (INGUAT)’s Tourist Assistance Program (PROATUR) through its website or by dialing 1500.”
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All restaurants, stores (except grocery stores and pharmacies) and non-essential businesses were closed beginning March 16. Mass transit was also shut down then. Taxis were permitted to have up to two passengers. The closing down of mass transit is a very big deal in a country where only the upper and upper-middle class can afford a car. And mass transit is private and an important business, consisting mostly of retired US school buses (chicken buses).
Guatemala, as a country, has a population of about 16M which is not quite comparable to that of Greater New York City (20.1M).
https://www.as-coa.org/articles/where-coronavirus-latin-america#guatemala
As of: April 2: 47 confirmed cases, 1 death
Of course, Greater New York City has exponentially more travelers able to infect its citizens. Even many more travelers than those that visit the comparably sized Greater Mexico City area (population: 21.3M):
https://www.as-coa.org/articles/where-coronavirus-latin-america#mexico
April 2: 1,510 confirmed cases, 50 deaths
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We intend to remain in Mexico City until around the beginning of May - unless things get really bad here - or we get the virus. After traveling by car to visit family in Tampico and McAllen, Tex., we anticipate arriving in Minnesota toward the end of May, which is projected past-peak:
https://covid19.healthdata.org/projections
Re: So, what is happening in our nearest southern neighbors; and a travelogue. - hal - 04-05-2020
exciting times!
thanks for the report.
Re: So, what is happening in our nearest southern neighbors; and a travelogue. - Ombligo - 04-05-2020
Via con Dios Speedy.
Re: So, what is happening in our nearest southern neighbors; and a travelogue. - Numo - 04-06-2020
Best wishes for your safe return, Speedy.
Re: So, what is happening in our nearest southern neighbors; and a travelogue. - Speedy - 04-06-2020
Ammo, thanks! But it is no safer back home.