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| Here's the webcam LINK, which also has time lapse of the past 24 hours. |
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~From the City....
The government is monitoring to ensure that tourism excursion boats, including the catamarans, aren't arriving at the docks of Isla Mujeres from the mainland, and that comisionistas aren't bringing tour groups over on the ferries. The Director of Civil Protection said it is essential to continue to verify that the recommendations are being followed at businesses, piers, and beaches, and that there is increasing awareness about the importance of staying home. It is noted that the two ferry companies offering passenger service from Puerto Juarez are working on their respective schedule adjustments. He said that hoteliers are being supportive of their workforce, while folowing the recommendations of WHO and the three levels of government, and most have closed their doors on the island, and in the Continental Zone there will be a complete closure. He gave recognition to the tourism service businesses and entrepreneurs who have joined in these preventative actions.
The recommendations to prevent the spread of the coronavirus are very simple, follow them and together let's help prevent Covid-19 from reaching our homes.Maintain social distance to prevent the propagation of the virus.
VIDEO of the Governor and the head of SESA giving a press conference
The state capital of Chetumal is located in the southern part of the state, and yesterday (Wednesday) morning SESA announced the first confirmed case of Covid-19 in its municipality of Othon P Blanco (OPB). The Governor announced a series of measures for Chetumal, to minimize the spread of coronavirus.
1.- Increase prevention measures, mainly social distancing, and apply hygiene measures. It is essential for the whole family to stay at home.. There will be support by the Department of Public Security (SPP) and the National Guard to ask people to stay home.
2.- Health questionnaires and self-declarations are being implemented in an obligatory and intense way at the airport when the flights arrive, beginning Wednesday.
3.- Close the entrance to the city with screening checkpoint, apply health questionnaires and self-declaration with questionnaires and verify that they are inhabitants of Chetumal.. The SSP and the Ministry of Health apply this measure starting Wednesday.
4.- The State Government will keep guards in its customer service offices and all the others will stay at home, working remotely online for the next two weeks, starting Wednesday. LINK
The Governor announced that there will not be suspensions of water or electricity during this health contingency LINK
At a press conference on Wednesday, Governor Carlos Joaquín reported that as part of the measures to support the economies of families in the face of the health contingency caused by the coronavirus, he has made requests to the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) and the Aguakán company that there are no cuts in these services. He also asked the companies providing cell phone service, internet and pay television to avoid service cuts, especially now that inhabitants have been asked to stay home longer.
He said, "We have contacted Social Security, INFONAVIT, CFE and Aguakán so that they have flexibility, during these months, to minimize the impact on the state's economy. We have had a good response and we are moving forward.”
Together with the state Secretary of Health, Alejandra Aguirre Crespo, he emphasized the need for prevention and hygiene measures, such as distancing and social isolation, frequent hand washing, and sanitation of work areas and equipment to mitigate contagion, noting, "It is up to all of us to take care of our families so that the impact of the virus cannot spread."
He said that progress has been made in the closing of businesses such as bars, nightclubs, gyms, gyms and others, where there are crowds. He said that business owners are cooperating and workers who have been dismissed with be cared for and monitored, in accordance with the law. He gave information about filing complaints, explaining that a work defense program has been initiated by the
Secretary of Labor and Social Security Department of the State Government and through the Labor Defense Attorneys.
He said hospital facilities have been prepared to deal with a situation like this, but the ideal will be not to use them. However, as a preventative measure, work is being done to obtain additional equipment.
He reported that tourism around the world has fallen more than 80 percent and the trend is increasing. In the state, occupancy is at 20 percent, which has caused a complicated economic situation, since this is the main source of income in Quintana Roo.
He said the hotel associations and organizations, companies and entrepreneurs are working together to find ways to maintain employment for the workforce, so that workers can retire to social isolation and mitigate the spread of coronavirus. Unfairly dismissed workers will be supported by a labor defense program that includes the dissemination of sanctions and compensation and required reinstatement, in accordance with the laws. There will be fiscal initiatives to support the workforce and work is already being done to insure they are maintained and have basics like masa, tortillas, and gas.
Food aid will begin the first week in April, and the operation must be well planned to ensure social distancing, and will work in conjuction with the Quintana Roo police, the National Guard, the Navy, and the National Defense Department. Also, members of the Governor's cabinet have voluntarily donated one month's salary to the food aid.
During the recovery stage when the contingency ends, events that were postponed will be enabled and promotions will resume to encourage people who postponed their trips to return to Quintana Roo.
Thursday afternoon..TVIM reports...The Director of the Isla Mujeres Community Hospital, Leily Osorio Mares, said now that Mexico is in Phase Two, the protocols have changed and cases with milder symptoms can be considered as suspicious and tested. She said the first suspicious case in Isla Mujeres, with very mild symptoms, was registered yesterday, and the sample was taken at home, with results on Friday, tomorrow. She spoke with the patient this morning. who is doing well, in isolation, at home. She said only severe cases with difficulty breathing will be referred to the hospital.
It is noted that for those who contract the Covid-19 virus, there is an incubation period for the disease, and then another 14 days afterwards, because even when the patient feels well, they can still infect more people. Therefore it is important to stay at home, to avoid contracting the disease, and in the case of those having the disease, to avoid spreading it further.
There is no treatment for this viral disease, which has a 4 percent mortality rate. She said she isn't seeking to alarm anyone, but people need to have this information so that they take the recommendations seriously that the state government has made.
She reiterated that there have been no confirmed cases in Isla Mujeres.
She said as a tourism destination, it would be naive to think that the disease will not come to the island, which is why we must be prepared and avoid going outside. She said to only go to the hospital if it is an emergency, such as having a fever over 38 degrees and difficulty breathing. LINK
From Por Esto :
Many businesses on Hidalgo are closed LINK
Isla Mujeres news briefs
The administration of the state Port Authority (APIQRoo) has hired the services of a specialized company to sanitize the Maritime Terminal to reduce the possibilities of contagion of COVID-19. The agency's Director, Alicia Ricalde, said the port terminals are usually fumigated to prevent the proliferation of insects, but this time all common areas, both administrative offices and passenger areas, were disinfected with environmentally friendly products. The fumigation has been completed at the Isla Mujeres and Puerto Juarez terminal, and will take place in Puerto Morelos, Cozumel and Chetumal. She said the applied substance lasts for 15 days. Before the expiration of this period, it will be sanitized again. This is also being done to the 26 sinks that were installed at the port facilities. The terminals are also equipped with infrared thermometers to take the temperature to users; Antibacterial gel dispensers have been provided and the use of healthy distance was implemented in waiting rooms and box office areas. Workers in vulnerable conditions were sent home, the rest were assigned specific jobs to ensure healthy distancing.
The Quintana Roo Secretary of Public Security said 23 profiles have been identified of people promoting public looting, including one in Isla Mujeres. Cyber patrols are being carried out and citizens are encouraged to call 911 or 089 in relation to any incidents, to prevent vandalism or incitement for commercial looting. Nine criminal complaints have already been filed against the holders of these accounts and the others are in progress.
The number of round trip crossing to Punta Sam by the cargo-vehicle ferries will be reduced from five to four beginning on Friday March 27th, and will decrease on Saturday's from three to five and on Sunday's from four to two. There is a possibility of another decrease next week, depending on demand. LINK
Playa Norte nearly vacant LINK
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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.
.jpg) |
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.    |
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
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| At Sunset--March 9 7:09p (sets 7:07a) March 10 8:13 March 11 9:17 March 12 10:20 March 13 11:22 This is the second of four supermoons for 2020. The Moon will be at its closest approach to the Earth while full, causing it to appear slightly larger and brighter than usual. Sunset 6:52-7:02pm (beginning vs end of month) Sunrise ~7:07-6:40am Painting by Pamela Haase at MVC |
March Events
Provided by MaraVilla Caribe & Isla Mujeres Daily News & Events
Thursday afternoons ~3p-8p Artist Fair on the Paseo de la Triguena off the Town Square at the malecon by the food trucks.
Sunday's at 1p there may be baseball games at the stadium in front of Chedraui. There are two teams, the Pescadores & the Cockteleros, who are in Category A & Category B of the same league, which is currently having the playoffs for the season championship.
Occasionally, Sunday evenings 8p on the Town Square "Noches Magicas" performances
Fishermen in this region are banned from catching grouper, lobster and octopus during March LINK
Sunday, March 1--At 1p at the Pescaodores baseball field the Isla Mujeres Pescadores will play the Rockies of Cancun, after losing the first game in their three game series in the semifinals. If the Pescadores beat the Rockies twice, they will win in Group B category of their league. The Isla Mujeres Cockteleros won the Group A category & are waiting to see who they'll play from Group B for the league championship. LINK
Thursday, March 5--There is usually a ceremony commemorating the arrival of Francisco Hernandez Cordoba in 1517, who is credited with discovering the Yucatan and what is now Mexico, after landing on Isla Mujeres. The expedition of 110 men in 3 boats sailed from Cuba and around the coast, battling with the Maya, until all but one were injured, and over 50 had died. Cordoba died after returning to Cuba.
Sunday, March 8--International Women's Day
Monday, March 9--Full Moon, which is the second of four Super Moons in 2020, meaning it is at its closest approach to the Earth while full, making it appear slightly larger and brighter than usual.
Tuesday, March 10-Civic Ceremony at 9am on the Town Square
Monday, March 16--Day off in honor of the birthday of Benito Juarez on March 21st.
Tuesday, March 17--St Patrick's Day
Wednesday March 18--Observation of Oil Expropriation Day (not an official day off--businesses & schools will be operating normally). Commemorates the nationalization of Mexico's oil fields on this date in 1938.
Thursday, March 19--Spring Equinox
Thursday, March 19--Dia de San Jose, which MAY be celebrated with a dance on the Town Square.
Tuesday, March 24-- Venus reaches its greatest eastern elongation of 46.1 degrees from the Sun. This is the best time to view Venus since it will be at its highest point above the horizon in the evening sky. Look for the bright planet in the western sky after sunset. Mercury reaches its greatest western elongation of 27.8 degrees from the Sun. This is the best time to view Mercury since it will be at its highest point above the horizon in the morning sky. Look for the planet low in the eastern sky just before sunrise. New moon--lack of moonlight is the best time to observe galaxies & star clusters.
Friday & Saturday, March 27 & 28-- About 600 swimmers are expected to participate in the National Open Water Championship 2020 which will be held in Isla Mujeres on March 27 & 28. The winners of the 10 kilometer competition will represent Mexico in Tokyo during the pre-Olympic match for the Olympic games. The top 20 swimmers in the categories of 14-15, 16-17, and 18-19 divisions, in the categories of 5k, 7.5k and 10k will qualify for the National Conade Games 2020.
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
BUS INFORMATION
The buses operate from 6a to 10p. The overhead digital display indicates whether they're going to the Tourism areas or the Colonias.The bus numbers don't indicate the route, they're numbered 1 thru 10.
The main downtown stops are just south of the Maritime (Ultramar) Terminal & across the street from it. In Centro, the buses stay on Medina, except they turn around near the Convention Center, behind the downtown Mercado. Outside of town, there are no designated stops & you flag them. Exit thru the back door, first pushing the red button nearby so the driver knows to stop.
Pay the driver 38 pesos/$2usd (or $9/175p for an all day pass). The front seats are for seniors, disabled & pregnant women. The 32 passenger buses have air conditioning & security cameras. (State residents pay 10p, INAPAM card holders & local students pay 5p.) LINK to bus company page on FB.
COLONIA ROUTES-1 & 2Route 1 goes down the western side on Rueda Medina and returns northward on the east side via Jesus Martinez Ross. Its west-east transit is Paseo de los Peces in colonia La Gloria.
Route 2 goes down the eastern side on Jesus Martinez Ross and returns northward on the west side via Medina. Its east-west transit is also Paseo Peces.
Routes #1 & #2 aren't exact opposites.
#1 takes J.M. Ross northward all the way from Peces to downtown, traveling thru Salina Chica,
#2 going southward turns left/east just before Salina Chica, leaving JM Ross & taking the Caribe Coastal road thru Meteorologico. I've heard it turns right/west back into the colonias by Madera Food & Art.
TOURISM ROUTES-3 & 4
Now the company advises riding #3 to Sac Bajo and #4 to Punta Sur.
Route 3 goes to Sac Bajo, down the western side of the isle on Medina.
(It was originally advertised as also going to Punta Sur. Then they said it only went to P.S. when that was the destination of passengers aboard, and otherwise after routing thru Sac Bajo it turned east on Paseo Peces & returned via the Caribbean Coastal road, Payo Obispo.)
Route 4 goes to Punta Sur & Garrafon down east side on the Caribbean Coastal road and returning northward on Medina to town.
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| This isn't a bus route map, it's a street map, showing how Jesus Martinez Ross follows the Caribbean coast until becoming the main street of Salina Chica and going on to La Gloria, while the Caribe Coastal road (aka Payo Obispo) follows the coast. The east-west transit, Paseo de los Peces, is shown, but not labeled, between colonia La Gloria and the Mundaca Hacienda. |
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