Tuesday, June 23, 2020

Isla Mujeres Daily News & Events Tuesday, June 23




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June 21-Another case of Covid 19 was reported in the municipality of Isla Mujeres for a total of 26 with 2 deaths and 17 recuperated, leaving seven active cases. 



June 22--The report for the municipality of Isla Mujeres is unchanged from June 21



Dates & locations for fogging against mosquitoes. to prevent mosquito-borne diseases. This is the second round--there's another graphic for the Continental Zone. 






Cleaning work by the City continues....


VIDEO of Mayor --beaches remain closed to residents & visitors (see TVIM section).

Hotels and restaurants have begun reopening in the New Normality in a gradual, orderly and responsible manner with security measures including face masks, face shields, antibacterial gel, and healthy distancing. Tables are separated by 1 to 1.5 meters and there are strict hygiene process to follow for food. The municipal liaison for Covid prevention, Dr Xhanat Tze Gonzalez Mora, explained that the New Normality does not mean the pandemic is over, but that everyone must live with Covid-19 and continue to take care of the most vulnerable sectors of society, such as seniors, pregnant women and children. She said, "We have to take things seriously, we must continue with safety protocols, frequently washing our hands, using face masks, and face shields for those who can, maintaining healthy distance, and staying at home unless it is necessary to go out; this way we will cut the contagion chains."



In accordance with the state's epidemiological Traffic Light, which is orange for Isla Mujeres, the City announced that the beaches will remain closed to everyone as a measure of containment and health care for society, to prevent the spread of Covid-19 among island families and those who have begun visiting this destination. The City General Secretary, Miriam Trejo Leon, said the Mayor has implemented guards on all the beaches in the northern part of the island from 9a to 4p, who include City officials, to advise residents and visitors to avoid entering the beaches and to use face masks in the New Normality.  She said the beaches are closed for the sole purpose of taking care of everyone's health to avoid spreading the virus. She said when reopening occurs, the island government will implement a strategic plan so that it is carried out in an orderly and responsible manner. She said, "Let's continue to take hygiene and healthy distance measures to minimize the impact of coronavirus on our island, so that soon we will be able to reactivate completely. It is everyone's responsibility to take preventive actions to take care of ourselves ′′


June 22--On June 22, the second round of fogging against mosquitoes began in the Continental Zone.


Advice about eliminating places where mosquitoes can breed

TVisla Mujeres    

Bananorte insured the reefs and beaches if Quintana Roo for one year   LINK  
>Yesterday, the state of Quintana Roo accepted Bananorte's bid to provide an insurance policy on the state's reefs and beaches for one year. The policy can provide funds for a quick recovery of the reefs and beaches, which are estimated to support more than 9 billion dollars of the state's tourism economy. The cost of the policy is 4.9 million pesos and the maximum payments are 40%-17 million pesos (100 knots), 80%-34 million pesos (130 knots) and 100%-42.5 million pesos (160 knots). A knot=1.15mph & 1 million pesos is ~50k dollars.

On Monday, Bimbo company was selling products at the blue dome in La Gloria (photo, previous articles about their sales said they offered wholesale prices.)

It is time to redouble efforts and take extreme measures against Covid-19: Mayor JCS  LINK  
   Isla Mujeres Mayor Juan Carrillo Soberanis, insisted that it is necessary to use each and every one of the recommendations made by the Ministry of Health and even though many have already started to go out to work, is is recommended that those who can stay home should do so.
      He spoke about the importance of maintaining healthy distance of at least 1.5 meters. He noted that the beaches, parks and gyms are closed since the region is in the orange phase of the Epidemiological Traffic Light. He clarified that they are closed to everyone, both residents and visitors, and explained these measures are to prevent the spread of the disease. He said there have been some cases where visitors leave their boats, which has upset many islanders.
    The mayor made it clear that we are not coming out of the epidemic, we are going out with the epidemic, which is very different, which is why for those who are in need of going out, they should do so with safety and hygiene measures.
      He urged entrepreneurs and tourism service providers to take the course promoted by the IMSS which will be compulsory for those who will offer a direct service with tourism.  (June 20)

On Tuesday, a large dust cloud is expected to reach the Yucatan peninsula, which originated in the Sahara desert. According to the National Center for Disaster Prevention (CENAPRED), normally it doesn't represent a danger to the general population, because the concentrations are usually low.   LINK   They said that the colossal and spectacular phenomenon occurs year after year, with a direct effect on the amount of cloudiness and rainfall that occurs. It commonly enters directly from the east and southeast of the country and its characteristics include the day turning grayish, the sunset being reddish and there is little cloudiness.
   In Mexico City, recommendations to minimize the health effects of the population due to high concentrations of dust are:
Be aware of notices from the National Weather Service and the National Coordination of Civil Protection.
In the face of the Covid-19 pandemic, stay home, especially the people most at risk.
If the concentrations are intense:
Avoid exposing yourself to high concentrations of dust.
Close all air inlets to rooms during storms.
If it is necessary to be outdoors, use glasses and face masks or a handkerchief (bandana).


Dolphin Discovery rescheduled its opening date to July 1st. LINK  

VIDEO  of Governor & graphic--Caption--The entire state is in the orange phase of the Epidemiological Trafffic Light thru June 28. We are NOT out of danger. It is VITAL to follow sanitary measures and only go out to the permitted activities

The federal Ministry of Public Education (SEP) asked state governments to modify the school schedule to advance summer holidays to June and delay the start of School Cycle 2020-2021 to mid-September. LINK 

   Noti Isla Mujeres     

Paco Romo and a team of volunteers give away cochinita tortas (pork sandwiches) and cake in honor of  Father's Day. (photos) 

Photos from a team of volunteers associated with Ministerio Católico Carisma Joven Isla Mujeres who collected donations and had a raffle, and took the donations to Ekpedz Yucatán


From  Por Esto :

June 19--The Navy cleared the weeds from the sides of the runway, using a medium-sized backhoe and about a dozen sailors. The runway is 1260 meters long by 15 feet wide, and is used by the Navy as a base to carry out security work. They have provided maintenance for about three decades.  According to Por Esto, it ceased to provide public service just over 20 years ago (Tho the occasional small private plane landed there until recent years.) In the 60's & 70's it mobilized about two percent of the passengers in the country, when it linked Isla Mujeres with Mexico City, Veracruz, Merida, Chichen Itza, and Cozumel, according to a report by ASA (Airports & Auxiliary Services), who say it turned 56 on May 18th.
   Historical data indicates it operated as a grass runway in the 1930;s with Bellanca CH-300 aircraft and was used during World War II as an airbase for maritime surveillance in the area. The current airstrip was built in 1963-64 and provided service for governmental officials and businessmen who were initiating the Cancun tourism macro-project.
   As Cancun "took off", interest in direct trips to Isla Mujeres died out and the lack of demand from the public caused the companies to stop offering selling the services and in the 1990s, they stopped operating regionally.
    There are currently 17 airfields in Quintana Roo, and Isla Mujeres was once one of the most commercially active, but now it only serves the Navy, and the state and municipal governments. LINK

June 21--Por Esto reports there is no date for the start of the whale shark tours, and there has been no information released by the Harbor Master or the Navy. July is considered the most active period with the presence of hundreds of whale sharks around the reserve, typically, according to the licensees.
   Permit holders told Por Esto that they are ready to start operations when the Epidemiological traffic light moves into the yellow phase, which would allow occupancy at 60% of capacity for the 120 boats who operate daily, which are no larger than 40 feet in length, in accordance with SEMARNAT, SCT, and SEMAT (respectively, the Ministry of the Environment & Natural Resources, Ministry of Communications & Transport and the Navy).  The authorized departure points are from the the APIQRoo (state Port Authority) facilities in Isla Mujeres, Punta am and Holbox
    There are licensees who told Por Esto that it is not feasible to go out during the orange phase when 30% of capacity is allowed, because that would mean only taking out three tourists. In the Yellow phase, they can take out five, and one noted, "It will still be difficult to meet costs, unless the equivalent of $200 dollars per person is charged, at least, at a time of much competition and price haggling by many licensees."
  No date has been announced for the resumption of tours to Isla Contoy, and permit holders hope this will happen in July, and that the phase will be upgraded to yellow so they can carry 60% of their capacity. The capacity of the park will be reduced from 200 to 120 visitors, in accordance with the 60% capacity regulation. LINK    


June 20--Volunteers distributed food, clothing, footwear, baby items, medicines and other basic necessities to residents of the town of Dzilam Gonzalez, Yucatan, who were affected by flooding caused by Tropical Storm Cristobal.  The volunteers departed from Isla Mujeres on Thursday, and distributed about 600 "rations" of food, from their mobile kitchen. There are at least three groups of volunteers assisting in various municipalities in the state of Yucatan who were affected by the storm. LINK


June 20--Por Esto reports that 'nearly all' of the hotels in Isla Mujeres will by open July 1st, with hoteliers reporting reservations of 20 to 30 percent for this summer. They report a majority of the clients are Mexican, and note that there are many special offers available for them. Discounts of 25% to 50%. are being offered to attract the interest of foreign visitors.
   Por Esto reports that less than 10 percent of the hotels on the island and in the Continental Zone of Punta Sam-Isla Blanca are currently operating, but most will be operating in the first week of July. Many directors say the impediment to swimming during June has negatively affected reservations. A few hotels are still working on the administrative preparation requested by the health authorities to ensure the safety of visitors and employees. LINK  


Families living in the vicinity of the downtown hurricane wall are concerned about potential damage in a strong hurricane, and recall that parts of the wall fell during Hurricane Wilma in 2005, so they prepared a petition requesting that it be strengthened. They took the reporter on a tour of the ~850 meter wall, pointing out the gabions (wire cages filled with rocks at the base of the wall) that are in poor condition, and the need to rebuild the southern end. LINK  

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"Reverse Sunset" (looking east from MVC)
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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   


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