The following agencies and organizations continue to provide up-to-date information, data and maps on COVID-19 to assist U.S. expats and travelers: World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),The U.S. Embassy in Mexico, COVID-19 webpage.
In addition, the state of Quintana Roo has a special COVID-19 webpage, with daily updates that provide statistics on the latest number of cases and deaths.
As the pandemic has gotten progressively worse, there have been more and more closures. Schools were closed in late March, most hotels were closed in early April, beaches were closed in mid-April. Almost all non-essential businesses are closed. Some restaurants are staying open for take-out and delivery orders only.
When we recently traveled to Soriana in Playa del Carmen, all vehicles were stopped at a police filter (checkpoint) for a health check and disinfectant application. Everyone was required to get out of their vehicle and answer questions regarding where they were going and why. The security officers at these checkpoints sprayed the outside and inside of the vehicle with a bleach solution to kill any virus. Unfortunately, that left the seats wet with bleach that can damage your clothes. Luckily, we had some paper towels to wipe the seats dry.
When we go shopping, we wear our masks and try to maintain healthy distance.
The grocery stores are now limiting access to just one family member, requiring face masks, and have lines on the floor at checkout to help everyone maintain healthy distance. Some stores are even doing fever checks with an infrared thermometer.
Here are general rules for Chedraui, though some stores in hot spots are even more strict.
There are numerous stories in the local press of people willfully breaking the regulations that are in place to slow the spread of COVID-19. The links are here: article 1, article 2, article 3, article 4. The Pelican Free Press keeps us up to date on the latest happenings in Puerto Aventuras.
Inside the gates of Puerto Aventuras things are also much different than normal. The security guards at the front gate require WhatsApp notification if you have a delivery or service visit expected from outside the community. We have security guards on most streets with face masks who make sure only those who live on or have business on a street are allowed entry.
Unfortunately, some people choose to ignore the restrictions and not practice social/healthy distancing or wear the required face mask. And barriers have been put up to block access to the beach to enforce the recent "beach closed" order.
However, in spite of the pandemic, there are positive things happening within our community. There seems to be a togetherness that we have not witnessed at this level before.
Several residents have organized weekly donations to be distributed to employees and their families who have lost their jobs. We have all committed to continue this effort until our little piece of paradise is back-to-normal...whenever that is. Neighbors that normally pass like ships in the night, are now making a concerted effort to stop, take a minute, and check on each other to ensure they are healthy, safe, or if they need any assistance. Friends and family are calling, messaging, emailing, and video chatting more than ever, just to say "I love you".
Yes, the world is a little crazy right now, but will we get through it...at a healthy distance, together.
STAY HOME. STAY SAFE. STAY HEALTHY.
PlayaWeatherman composed this blog post.
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