Saturday, June 27, 2020

Isla Mujeres Daily News & Events Saturday, June 27




  Here's the webcam LINK, which also has time lapse of the past 24 hours.
Join the 11,000 followers of Isla Mujeres News & Events on Facebook for more photos, videos, events & updates  
 SCROLL DOWN FOR THIS MONTH'S EVENTS SCHEDULE!
~Please visit our sponsors~
email: info@mvcisla.com

 Other sites we host: Isla Mujeres History on Facebook & Website 


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It says--False Announcement. This statement is from the municipal Director of ZOFEMAT (Federal Zone agency), Kerem Pinto Aquilar (my translation):
     "(In advance I want to congratulate all those people who are aware and do not support this type of actions) # Let's adopt positive things --# Don't bring problems)
     The health contingency took us all by surprise, nobody is to blame that this is happening, however the municipal government had done, and continues to do, a good job to protect our Island.
     The state epidemiological traffic light indicates that the beaches will be open when we are in yellow.
     This can cause controversy and annoyance for many, but all these actions are to protect each one of us; let's be responsible and understanding.
      Many will say that the sea is not contagious, "que si esto que si lo otro", etc, but the reason why the beaches are closed is because they can become high risk areas for infections and they want to avoid this situation. (Agglomerations)
     Let's not spoil all the work and care of several months in a beach afternoon, and then instead of moving forward, we go back to the color red.
     It's better to take care of ourselves, do not fall into this type of thing, be responsible, you take care of yourself and we all take care of ourselves. At the time when the traffic light allows it, the beaches will be open; but remember, Covid19 has not left, we are going out to live with it , and therefore measures will have to be implemented to protect us."

From the Tortugranja FB page...VIDEO of Personnel with Civil Protection rescuing a mama turtle stuck in a coastal cave across from FOVISSSTE. Tuesday, one of our neighbors flipped a smaller mama right-side-up and helped her back into the sea. (Sometimes they fall over when they walk off the rocky ledges of the upper beaches.)

On June 26, the municipality of Isla Mujeres still reported 27 cases with two deaths and 19 recovered, leaving six active cases. 


On June 25, the municipality of Isla Mujeres reported 27 cases with two deaths and 19 recovered, leaving six active cases. 

On June 24th, the municipality reported 27 cases with 2 deaths and 17 recovered, leaving 8 active cases.

The first case in Quintana Roo was on Friday, March 13, in Cancun, and we just completed Week 15 since then. The first case in Isla Mujeres was on April 4th. Here's a summary...





VIDEO of workers cleaning and providing information which was shared by the Mayor with caption:  We continue to work daily to maintain our public areas on the island to beautify them, take care of everyone's health and, at the same time, provide a good image to our visitors.

Residents are encouraged to take advantage of municipal discounts on fees and taxes before they end on June 30th

Colonia neighborhoods benefit from the "Isla Mujeres Green & Healthy" program







VIDEO   of thermonebulization and community educators for the prevention of mosquito-borne diseases with a caption promoting the Isla Mujeres Green and Healthy campaign.

TVisla Mujeres    

The Navy confirmed that 5678 tons of sargasso have been removed from the beaches of Quintana Roo and 4252 meters of containment barriers have been installed.  In May, 2674 tons were collected, and so far in June, 3004 have been removed.    LINK   


   La Tertulia  

Photo of the Governor with caption: Carlos Joaquin on Twitter--The infection curve is growing in Chetumal, this could involve us returning to the red in the state Epidemiological Traffic Light. Let's NOT let our guard down!(Chetumal is the capital of the state and located in the Southern Region, while Isla Mujeres is in the Northern Region, which are rated separately.)

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  This blog is brought to you by....

MaraVilla Caribe   Bed & Beach    Four rentals with large glass doors overlooking our white sand beach and the beautiful Caribbean sea, with  kitchenettes & fast WIFI. In the upscale neighborhood of  Bachilleres, convenient to downtown or the colonias, yet separate.  Quiet & Private.   
A large slider opens from each of the 3 rooms onto the patio where each has a table & chairs, hammock & clotheslines. The BBQ is behind the pole, and the outdoor shower is out of the pic at left.

"Reverse Sunset" (looking east from MVC)
Free amenities include hammocks, portable beach chairs, beach towels, washer & dryer, loungers, shared bikes, BBQ grill, and safes.  Panoramic views from the rooftop terrace. Large sliding doors open to a patio & the white sand backyard-beach, overlooking the Caribbean sea.  Downtown is  ~ a mile away; we're on all four bus routes or  flag a $3 taxi. Off street parking. You can enjoy the music & crowds downtown, then return to the quiet neighborhood of Bachilleres and  sleep to the sounds of the sea.$275/$325/$425 wk   $40/50/$65nt  Monthly Discounts
Fine dining a few steps away at Da Luisa or try the neighborhood eateries a couple blocks farther. We provide a list of links & direction to over 20 eateries within ten minutes walk, including Mango Cafe,  Mike's Pizza, Brisas, Rosa Sirena, Coco Jaguar, Manolitos, La Chatita, Green Verde, Kash Kechen Chuc, and the large department store-grocery Chedraui & the local craft brewery.  Visit marinas, bars, & beach clubs that are minutes away by bike or on foot. Attend Yoga classes a couple villas away at Casa Ixchel. Fresh juice, produce & tortillas a few blocks away in the village, as well as a variety of other stores.

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Full moon rising over the Caribbean 
 Just after Sunset--June 5  7:36 (sun sets 7:27p)
  June 6      8:38 
 June 7      9:37
June 8     10:30
June 9    11:17

 Sunset  7:25-7:33pm (beginning vs end of month)
Sunrise  6:05--6:09am
Painting by Pamela Haase at MVC
Turtles continue mating and nesting in June. They can be observed mating offshore from Punta Sur during this month, and they nest along the eastern beaches. Tortugranja staff and volunteers gather the eggs and incubate them in the sand in a pen outside the facility. Three species nest annually in Isla Mujeres, Greens, Loggerheads, and Hawksbills, and very rarely, a Leatherback will attempt to nest, but generally the sand isn't sufficiently deep.

The season for swimming with the whale sharks normally takes place during June, which ends annually in mid-September. They congregate and feed on a 'buffet' of plankton and fish eggs from a type of tuna. Rays are also attracted to the feeding areas.  Photo by Tony Garcia
 

In June, there are fishing bans on Lobster (fishing resumes July 1st), Octopus (resumes Aug.1), Shrimp (resumes Oct. 15), conch (reusmes Nov.1) and shark.

Monday, June 1 Dia de Marina / Naval Day 

Friday, June 5 World Environmental Day

Monday, June 8 World Oceans Day

Saturday, June 20 Summer Solstice

Sunday, June 21 is Father's Day 


Sources for Weather Information:
LINK to Civil Protection Q Roo weather bulletin  (Spanish)
LINK to Mexico National Weather Service (Spanish)
 LINK to satellite images for the Mexico National Weather Service
 LINK to GOES East Band 16 GIF (animation)
LINK to a private weather station on Isla Mujeres
LINK to NHC   


Friday, June 26, 2020

Isla Mujeres New & Events Friday, June 26




  Here's the webcam LINK, which also has time lapse of the past 24 hours.
Join the 11,000 followers of Isla Mujeres News & Events on Facebook for more photos, videos, events & updates  
 SCROLL DOWN FOR THIS MONTH'S EVENTS SCHEDULE!
~Please visit our sponsors~
email: info@mvcisla.com

 Other sites we host: Isla Mujeres History on Facebook & Website 


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On Thursday evenings, in his 8pm video, Quintana Roo Governor Carlos Joaquin, updates the state's Epidemiological Traffic Light for following Monday thru Sunday. Both the southern and northern regions will remain in the Orange status June 29th thru July 5th. The worst of two indicators determines the status, with Hospital Availability in green and New Cases in orange.
    Next, the graphic lists the ESSENTIAL businesses which can operate normal capacity, including public security, legislative activities, hospital & medical services, commercial food distribution such as groceries, tortillerias, etc, banks & financial institutions, fishing & agriculture, construction, storage, laundries, mining, and water purification.
   Open at 50% are services that are administrative, professional, scientific & technical, consultant and accounting.
    Open at 30% are hotels, restaurants, historical sites, theme parks, golf courses and tourism services. Religious services, theaters & cinemas, commercial centers, department stores, realty agencies, stores selling computers & household goods, beauty salons & barber shops, and manufacturing (various types listed).   
    Not open are schools, beaches & public parks, gyms, and bars, including night clubs, discos, venues for shows, breweries, pool halls, and bowling alleys, among others.
     The maximum capacity of public transport (seats) is: Motorcycles-1, Private vehicles-4, Taxis-3, Public Transport-50%.
     With all activities, maintain measures of sanitary prevention: Frequent hand washing, Use of face masks, Healthy distancing of 1.5 meters, Isolation at home with presentation of symptoms, and strict application of recommendations & guidelines.
   NOTE--When upgraded to yellow, the businesses operating at 30% increase to 60% and the beaches and parks open at that capacity. If downgraded to red, those businesses would be limited to 15%.
 
  

Yesterday's (Thursday's) sunset amid the Saharan dust...accompanied by thunder & rain.
(From Maravilla Caribe Bed & Beach by Bruce Roberts)
VIDEO   whose caption advises care for those with asthma & allergies during the dust cloud which arrived this week from the Sahara Desert, crossing the Yucatan Peninsula, then the Eastern Sierra Madre provides a natural barrier, reducing effects on central Mexico.
The tips recommend covering your eyes with glasses and wearing a face mask, avoiding leaving your house, closing doors & windows, covering water sources, and rinsing your eyes with pure water if they're irritated. This phenomenon typically happens a few times during hurricane season & often causes exceptionally beautiful sunsets & sunrises, but this one just brought greyness.
    LINK   to press release from Conagua (National Weather Service) which explains this is a common phenomenon in spring and summer, when a scarcity of rain combines with intense winds in the region of the Sahara desert, causing currents of warm, dry air saturated with dust. The forecast was to reach the Yucatan Peninsula on Tuesday, and have its highest concentrations over Campeche, Quintana Roo and Yucatan on Thursday and Friday. Then it is expected to move over the Gulf of Mexico, and the coasts of Veracruz & Tamaulipas. Expected effects over the Yucatan Peninsula include reduced cloudiness & less rain, increased temperatures and foggy skies, with the possibility of reddish sunrises and sunsets.
    These events are tracked by satellite images & monitoring of this one across the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea has shown a noticeable reduction in visibility, affecting aerial and maritime navigation, with misty skies. These dust clouds limit the development or intensification of cyclones in the tropical Atlantic, because they are large masses of dry air. On the night of Friday, June 26, it is expected to move into the southern part of the US and will no longer directly affect Mexico. 

Sunrise during a Saharan dust cloud in June 2014--


On June 25, the municipality of Isla Mujeres reports a total of 27 cases of Covid-19 with 2 deaths and 19 recoveries, leaving 6 active cases.


ACTIVE cases since tourism resumed June 8th
TOTAL Cases in June (Tourism resumed on the 8th)
NEW Cases Weekly--The first case in Q Roo & Cancun was on Friday, March 13 (Week 1). The first case in Isla Mujeres was on Thursday, April 4th (Week 4).





June 24--The "Isla Mujeres Green & Healthy" program to improve the image of the island while taking care of everyone's health involves civil servants and volunteers carrying out cleaning and maintenance activities in the streets and green areas of the island. They are pruning, removing brush, sweeping, and doing general cleaning and maintenance, including to public lighting. There have been house-by-house junk collection and residents have been advised about preventing mosquito-breeding sites by eliminating the accumulation of water, frequently changing pet-water dishes, covering storage tanks, cutting grass, and eliminating unused items. Thermo-nubilization fogging has been implemented throughout the municipality, again, including on foot.

June 25--The "Isla Mujeres Green & Healthy" program began about two weeks ago, and has reached about 90% of the island. On Thursday, they were working in colonia ′La Caribeña. This has included removal a junk removal campaign and raising awareness about removing items where water collects to prevent mosquito-borne diseases. Works is being done to improve the image of the island and for the health of the residents, which includes pruning, sweeping, cleaning, and painting of curbs, crosswalks, and medians. These efforts continue in response to the New Normality and the gradual, orderly and responsible return to activities, to welcome tourists with a 'good face', so this island is once again among the most desired destinations in the Mexican Caribbean.





June 25--Support continues from the municipal government and Chedraui for those most in need, with recent assistance to 402 people on the island and 490 in the Continental Zone, including the most vulnerable families, grandparents, single parents, and those with disabilities. Chedraui has provided space for collection tables, with staffing and delivery provided by the municipality, coordinated by the DIF social service agency, and the store has donated pastries, fruit and yogurt. There are also tables with basic provisions at the DIF facilities. It is noted that the return to the New Normality has gradually begun and assistance will continue to be provided as the economic recovery in the municipality progresses in accordance with the state Epidemiological Traffic Light.






The 25th of each month is commemorated as the Orange Day to eliminate violence against women and girls.



June 24-The beaches remain closed due to Covid-19 causing the state to remain in the "Orange" status on the Quintana Roo Epidemiological Traffic Light. Therefore municipal officials are patrolling the beaches accompanied by personnel with Public Safety and with Civil Protection to limit the spread of the virus and prevent grouping of people. The General Secretary explained that the beaches will remain closed until the state traffic light allows, which is governed by the number of positive cases and the hospital occupancy rate. She explained that the reopening must be done responsibly, because opening suddenly would undo all the work of recent months. She recommended staying home unless it is necessary to go  out. She encouraged the citizenry to follow the various hygiene and safety protocols, so that businesses and public spaces can open, cautioning that, "It will all depend on the commitment made by the inhabitants to continue taking care of themselves, and to take care of the most vulnerable sectors so that the infections of the disease may decrease."

The trash collection schedule continues "Now is the Time" (Ya Es Hora), with collection seven days a week at 8pm to 10pm at the beaches and downtown, and in the colonias including Cañotal and La Gloria. Collection in Sac-Bajo is 2p-8. Residents are reminded to adhere to the schedule, to use resistant bags, which shouldn't exceed 25 kilos. 

The Tortugranja has reopened. (See previous edition for hours)


On Tuesday, a crew of ten volunteers visited colonia "La Guadalupana" to encourage residents to take actions to prevent mosquito-borne diseases by eliminating areas where water can collect, which includes turning over items, changing water in pet dishes frequently, sweeping and draining ditches, cutting grass, getting rid of unused items, and cover storage tanks. These actions, together with thermo-nebulization campaigns  and junk collection programs, are taken to prevent dengue and other mosquito borne diseases in the municipality.

The businesses of Isla Mujeres join in following the measures of prevention..

TVisla Mujeres    

 June 25  Sinking of boat in the Whale Shark Observation Area is being investigated. LINK   
    The Isla Mujeres Harbor Master has initiated an investigation into the cause of a boat "Jesusito" capsizing on Wednesday in the Whale Shark Observation Area with two tourists aboard. No one was injured, and the crew and passengers were quickly assisted by the other boats in the area. The cause of the sinking of the ~28 foot boat is unknown and the crew will be questioned by the port authorities. Conjecture among other whale shark tour providers includes a possible bad reverse maneuver that could have caused the engines to shut down and the boat to leak. Some providers said that accidents can occur to anyone in charge of a boat and aren't necessarily due to carelessness or negligence.


June 24--Isla Mujeres Director of Tourism, Gustavo Rodríguez Orozco,  said that unfortunately not all hotels in the municipality have restarted operations, and many plan to start after July 1. He said that so far only 25 percent of the hotels have reopened but many hope to start from next week. He said as of yesterday the island had  an occupancy rate of 12 percent, and in the Continental Zone, it was 10.2 percent. He said that there are high expectations for hotel occupancy to improve rapidly starting in July and to increase in August, when more promotion is expected for national tourism.  LINK   

June 25--Cancun--′The National Center for Disaster Prevention (Cenapred) points out that the arrival of the Sahara dust cloud does not pose a risk to the population, although such natural phenomenon has an effect on the amount of cloudiness and rain", said the Director of Civil Protection of the municipality of Benito Juarez, Antonio Riveroll Ribbon.

Providers of nautical tourism services report low demand LINK  

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  This blog is brought to you by....

MaraVilla Caribe   Bed & Beach    Four rentals with large glass doors overlooking our white sand beach and the beautiful Caribbean sea, with  kitchenettes & fast WIFI. In the upscale neighborhood of  Bachilleres, convenient to downtown or the colonias, yet separate.  Quiet & Private.   
A large slider opens from each of the 3 rooms onto the patio where each has a table & chairs, hammock & clotheslines. The BBQ is behind the pole, and the outdoor shower is out of the pic at left.

"Reverse Sunset" (looking east from MVC)
Free amenities include hammocks, portable beach chairs, beach towels, washer & dryer, loungers, shared bikes, BBQ grill, and safes.  Panoramic views from the rooftop terrace. Large sliding doors open to a patio & the white sand backyard-beach, overlooking the Caribbean sea.  Downtown is  ~ a mile away; we're on all four bus routes or  flag a $3 taxi. Off street parking. You can enjoy the music & crowds downtown, then return to the quiet neighborhood of Bachilleres and  sleep to the sounds of the sea.$275/$325/$425 wk   $40/50/$65nt  Monthly Discounts
Fine dining a few steps away at Da Luisa or try the neighborhood eateries a couple blocks farther. We provide a list of links & direction to over 20 eateries within ten minutes walk, including Mango Cafe,  Mike's Pizza, Brisas, Rosa Sirena, Coco Jaguar, Manolitos, La Chatita, Green Verde, Kash Kechen Chuc, and the large department store-grocery Chedraui & the local craft brewery.  Visit marinas, bars, & beach clubs that are minutes away by bike or on foot. Attend Yoga classes a couple villas away at Casa Ixchel. Fresh juice, produce & tortillas a few blocks away in the village, as well as a variety of other stores.

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Full moon rising over the Caribbean 
 Just after Sunset--June 5  7:36 (sun sets 7:27p)
  June 6      8:38 
 June 7      9:37
June 8     10:30
June 9    11:17

 Sunset  7:25-7:33pm (beginning vs end of month)
Sunrise  6:05--6:09am
Painting by Pamela Haase at MVC
Turtles continue mating and nesting in June. They can be observed mating offshore from Punta Sur during this month, and they nest along the eastern beaches. Tortugranja staff and volunteers gather the eggs and incubate them in the sand in a pen outside the facility. Three species nest annually in Isla Mujeres, Greens, Loggerheads, and Hawksbills, and very rarely, a Leatherback will attempt to nest, but generally the sand isn't sufficiently deep.

The season for swimming with the whale sharks normally takes place during June, which ends annually in mid-September. They congregate and feed on a 'buffet' of plankton and fish eggs from a type of tuna. Rays are also attracted to the feeding areas.  Photo by Tony Garcia
 

In June, there are fishing bans on Lobster (fishing resumes July 1st), Octopus (resumes Aug.1), Shrimp (resumes Oct. 15), conch (reusmes Nov.1) and shark.

Monday, June 1 Dia de Marina / Naval Day 

Friday, June 5 World Environmental Day

Monday, June 8 World Oceans Day

Saturday, June 20 Summer Solstice

Sunday, June 21 is Father's Day 


Sources for Weather Information:
LINK to Civil Protection Q Roo weather bulletin  (Spanish)
LINK to Mexico National Weather Service (Spanish)
 LINK to satellite images for the Mexico National Weather Service
 LINK to GOES East Band 16 GIF (animation)
LINK to a private weather station on Isla Mujeres
LINK to NHC