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| Here's the webcam LINK, which also has time lapse of the past 24 hours. |
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Two new cases reported today.
May 30--This month, there have been 14 new cases and two deaths in the municipality of Isla Mujeres. May began with a total of 5 reported cases, since the first one on April 4th. Now the total is 19 (two new cases today), with 10 recovered, leaving seven active at this time.
#1 is Cases & Deaths daily & #2 is Total Cases daily, in May. There were no deaths in April
May 29--On the new federal "Traffic Light" system for reopening Mexico, Q Roo remains in the "RED" category...Essential businesses only. This is a screenshot from today's national press conference, and here's a LINK to the video (in Spanish)..at the end Dr Gatell expressed optimism for Cancun in another week or so.
May 29--The municipality of Isla Mujeres remains at 17 reported cases with 2 deaths and 10 recovered, leaving 5 active cases. This is the start of Week 12, since the first case in Cancun & Q Roo on Friday, 3/13.
The three bar graphics are weekly summaries of new cases and deaths. The two line graphics are new cases day-by-day with an *asterisk on the 12th when Q.Roo was (first) assigned the RED category (essential businesses only) on the traffic light system, with descending cases. Today's national "Traffic Light" map doesn't include the arrows showing if cases are increasing, decreasing or stable.
The state law limiting the sale of alcohol to 10a-5p has been extended thru June 30 in Quintana Roo. The municipal prohibition on alcohol sales in Isla Mujeres is scheduled to end on Monday when it may be purchased for takeaway from stores, between 10a and 5p.
VIDEO of downtown empty streets & beaches by Isla Mujeres al Momento
May 28-Promotional campaign launched today by CPTQ, the state Tourism Promotion Council--"Mexican Caribbean-Best of Both Worlds", posted by the Governor. VIDEO
LINK Thursday, the US State Dept. updated it's Covid-19 information for Mexico, including Q Roo & Isla Mujeres.
Here's what it says about our island--"Only one passenger is allowed per vehicle. The ferry schedule has been reduced. The passenger ferry has only six routes per day to Puerto Juarez, and passengers must pass through a sanitizing station on either side. The car ferry has just two routes per day, and they are set one hour apart, rendering it impossible for Isla residents to bring their cars to Cancun to do shopping as there is not enough time between the routes to return the same day. The ferry crossing is to be utilized primarily for cargo trucks to bring products to the island."
Here's what it says about our state--Authorities in Quintana Roo have instituted a daily curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. The use of face masks in public is mandatory. All businesses are closed except for those deemed essential. Those circulating for essential business must obtain a permit. Those lacking a permit will be stopped by police to verify their purpose of travel. Only one person per family may enter essential businesses. There may be a maximum of two people per personal vehicle. The Quintana Roo governor announced that vehicles with plates from outside states as well as those with provisional plates are not allowed to circulate within the state, unless they are carrying out an essential function and have received a permit from the state to circulate. Additionally, there is a general prohibition on private vehicle circulation on weekends. Alcoholic beverages may be sold only from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from May 1 to May 31.(Note-this was just extended thru June 30).
In the general information, it warns of health screenings and temperature checks when arriving in Mexican airports, which could result in further screening & potential quarantine There are statistics about the increasing cases, and it says only essential activities & outings are allowed, that INM is operating in a reduced manner, and notes schools are closed.. Regarding hotels it says...
"On April 3, Mexican Tourism and Health officials instructed hotels to cancel new and existing reservations and close for non-essential business.Guests that require accommodation due to essential business activities are permitted to stay in hotels with a maximum occupancy of 15 percent and may be asked to provide an employer letter certifying the nature of their business. Non-resident foreign citizens currently in hotel accommodation must begin the process of returning home immediately. Individuals showing respiratory symptoms will be referred to health authorities. As a reminder, the U.S. government does not pay for lodging or other expenses incurred due to travel disruptions abroad."
>>Note--Isla's beaches & parks are closed, restaurants may only serve takeaway or delivery, and outdoor exercise is considered non-essential. Yesterday the Mexican government updated its "Traffic Light" system and Q Roo remains under the "Red" category with essential services only. The four-color system will be updated weekly. Isla's municipal government announced yesterday that package alcohol sales will resume on Monday, 10a-5p (which were prohibited since March 21st).<<
Saturday--From MaraVills Caribe B&B...Second turtle nest this season..it's to the right of David Buoy, below the ledge.
May 29--Alcohol sales resume on Monday (they've been prohibited on the island since March 21st). Like the rest of the state it's 10a to 5p and you'll need to form two lines & keep your distance.
To prepare for a return to the "New Normality" and resumption of tourist activities on the island on June 8, (a date that is dependent on the behavior of the Covid contingency), the City is calling upon the tourism businesses to take measures and prepare guidelines to reactivate the industry safely.
On June 1st, hotels and inns in the municipality may begin taking measures for the entry of staff, with those who begin working preferably being residents of the island. The maximum staff should be 30 percent, in accordance to recommendations from health authorities.
Businesses providing accommodations are encouraged to register for the CPPSIT (Certification in Health Protection and Prevention in Tourist Facilities) from the state government. It is requested that all tourism workers complete the IMSS online course "Recommendations for a safe return to work during Covid-19" which is at this LINK . The City seeks to continue working as a team to mitigate the spread of the virus and thus to take care of the island population and visitors. Photos from the City except my course certification.
This week the municipal department of Civil Protection and the Firefighters were working extra hours to clean the storm drains to prevent flooding. The head of the department urged islanders to stay in their home and to remember that we are facing a pandemic...and to avoid throwing trash in the streets.
TV Isla Mujeres reports that the President's visit to the Isla Mujeres Naval Base on Monday will occur around 11am, recognizing the sailors, particularly the Naval nurses, and health & medical personnel who have been helping confront the pandemic.
In the afternoon, he will inaugurate the start of the construction of the Mayan Train, along the Cancun-Merida highway. He said the events will have a small attendance of less than fifty people, including the reporters, photographers and public servants.
He will attend security meetings in Cancun between 6am and 8am. He concluded by saying he will not be able to receive any petitions, but there will be delegates available who can take them.
The President has scheduled a visit on Monday, Día de la Marina, to the Naval base on Isla Mujeres.
The caption says: Why cry and suffer, it's better to laugh and dream. Here's Celia Cruz singing this sentiment...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nBFWzpWXuM
A nesting turtle came ashore near the Casa de la Cultura, and the Tortugranja was notified ,who collect and protect the eggs, if she laid any. VIDEO
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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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| Just after Sunset--May 7 7:46 (sun sets 7:15p)
May 8 8:51
May 9 9:55
May 10 10:55
May 11 11:50
Sunset 7:12-7:25pm (beginning vs end of month) Sunrise 6:16--6:05am Painting by Pamela Haase at MVC |
Turtles begin mating and nesting
in May. 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. The Protection season officially begins May 15,
but Tortugranja staff usually begin checking for nests at the beginning of the
month. 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 begins on May 15th, 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. Photos by Tony Garcia
The Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks before dawn on May 5th, but can be seen during the early hours (starting ~3a nightly) from mid-April thru mid-May. The longest "windows" to see them as they near peaking are the wee hours Friday & Saturday nights, May 1st & 2nd (which are the mornings of Sat & Sun). They peak as the moon is approaching fullness. On May 5th it sets at 4:55a, so will be low on the western horizon, while the radiant point is in the east. You don't need to focus on the radiant, because you may miss the meteors that create the longest bright streaks flying across the sky. This shower is caused by debris from Halley's comet.
During May, the climate changes
Although May is the hottest month in the neighboring state of Yucatan, here on the coast, the hottest months begin in June. In May the "Perceived Temperature" (thin line above the others) begins to rise, as the humidity increases and the rainy season begins as the month progresses. We've been in dry season since November-December, and late April & early May are when firefighters are busy across the Peninsula fighting brush fires. There are ~13+ hours of daylight in May & humidity increases from 92% to 99% as the month progresses. Water temperatures are 81-82 degrees.
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| Source: Weather Spark |
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| Source: Weather Spark |
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| Source: Climates to Travel |
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| A wet day is one with at least 0.04 inches of precipitation. In Cancún, the chance of a wet day over the course of May is very rapidly increasing, starting the month at 14% and ending it at 36%.
For reference, the year's highest daily chance of a wet day is 52% on September 27, and its lowest chance is 12% on March 22. Source: Weather Spark |
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| Source: Weather Spark |
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| Source: Weather Spark |
Friday, May 1 Labor Day Official Holiday with offices closed.
May 3 Dia de la Cruz, a holiday celebrated by construction workers in Mexico, and is associated with St Helena (Elena in Spanish). Normally, crosses are placed atop construction projects, and crews take a break to pray and eat together, with food & drink supplied by the owner.
May 5 "Cinco de Mayo" Anniversary of the Battle of Puebla against the French in 1862.
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May 10 Mother'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
