Isla Mujeres Daily News & Events Saturday, January 23

 

 SCROLL DOWN FOR THIS MONTH'S EVENTS SCHEDULE!

~Please visit our sponsors~

MaraVilla Caribe Bed & Beach on FB

or at www.mvcisla.com

email: info@mvcisla.com

 Sites we host:
Isla Mujeres News & Events on Facebook 

Isla Mujeres News & Events Group & Isla Mujeres Together-Granito de Arena
 

Isla Mujeres History on Facebook & Website  

 

Yesterday, US President Biden signed an executive order titled "Promoting COVID-19 Safety in Domestic and International Travel" which orders an assessment of the CDC order of January 12th that requires a negative C-19 test for airline passengers entering the US. It says that based on this assessment, "...Homeland Security shall take any further appropriate regulatory action, to the extent feasible and consistent with CDC guidelines and applicable law." They will consider the timing & types of tests, including consideration of additional testing immediately prior to departure. (This concerns flights TO the United States.)  And implementation of CDC recommendations regarding quarantine/self-isolation after returning to the US.

 

This Executive order about International Travel covers TESTING and QUARANTINE separately.

      The first subsection "(i)" concerns TESTING. It only mentions quarantine in regard to travelers lacking accessibility to testing before arriving in the US. It charges the Secy of HHS with reviewing the Jan 12 CDC order, (which requires a negative test** for airline passengers to the US starting Tuesday,) to consider further regulatory action concerning timing & type of tests, with consideration of additional testing immediately before departure.

     It's "(ii)" that concerns QUARANTINE/self isolation after arriving to the US. It charges Secy of HHS (& the agencies listed) with presenting a plan within two weeks to "implement the CDC-recommended periods of self-quarantine or self-isolation after a flight to the US from a foreign country, as he deems appropriate and consistent with applicable law. The plan shall identify agencies' tools and mechanisms to assist travelers in complying with such policy".

 

The CDC's recommendations are:

"Get tested 1-3 days before your flight." (Mandatory 1/26)

"Get tested 3-5 days after travel AND stay home for 7 days after travel. Even if you test negative, stay home for the full 7 days. If you don’t get tested, it’s safest to stay home for 10 days after travel."

** Or "Documentation of Recovery"

These are screenshots of US President Biden's Executive order's section on International Travel and here's a LINK to the order.

 

 

Below are screenshots from the Governor's weekly video update on Thursday evening, when he expressed particular concern about the upward trends in Isla Mujeres, Tulum and Solidaridad (Playa del Carmen).  He talked about the importance of businesses enforcing & following C-19 prevention protocols and reminded residents to comply with prevention measures and to stay home as much as possible. He said in order to break the chains of contagion people must be responsible and take this seriously, or risk going into red and having closures. 

 The title is "New Cases Daily" and the top line says "Trends-Changes in the reference week". "Aumento de: means "Increase of".  Our Zone enters Orange status on the state epidemiological light on Monday, with the update for Feb. 1-7 announced on Thursday. This will reduce capacities at hotels, restaurants & touristic services to 50% and beach capacity to 30%. There are six other municipalities in our Northern Zone, which say "Norte" at UL in the second graphic. The four municipalities of the Southern Zone remain in Yellow.

 Explanation of "Color Change"--Our Northern Zone moves from Yellow to Orange on the STATE epidemiological light on Monday, which reduces capacities in hotels, restaurants & tourism services to 50% and capacity on the beaches to 30%.  Q Roo moved to Orange on the NATIONAL light on the 18th, which doesn't directly affect touristic activities. Both are in effect until Sunday, Jan 31. The state update is next Thursday night, for Feb 1-7.

On Jan 21, Isla Mujeres continued to report a total of 256 cases of C-19 with 23 deaths and 206 recovered.

 On Jan. 22, Isla Mujeres reported one more case for a total of 257 with 23 deaths and 207 recovered. The state geoportal reports 9 active cases by colonia for 1/21 as Downtown-1, Meteorologico-1, Salina Grande-2, 23 de Noviembre-4, and La Gloria-1. 

On Jan 23, these statistics are unchanged.  The state geoportal for 1/23 is unchanged. The national map for 1/22 reports 185 suspicious and 157 negatives.

 

 Donation link---https://www.gofundme.com/f/supporting-carlos-espndola

 From the City (Ayuntamiento de Isla Mujeres)

 

 The municipal government will be working at reducing mobility on Isla Mujeres to contain the propagation of Covid-19. 

 Jan 22--As part of the state government's program "“Reactivemos Quintana Roo” and in order to avoid an increase in the number of positive cases of Covid-19 in Isla Mujeres, the municipal Traffic Police will implement health filters (checkpoints) for hygiene and disease prevention at the end of this week.

    According to information issued by the department, these checkpoints will take place at different locations on the island Jan. 25-31 to inform drivers, both locals and visitors, about the orange status of  Isla Mujeres and the other municipalities of the Northern Zone starting on Monday, with these measures are being implemented in response to prevent possible propagation. 

There is a FB video whose caption says--In Isla Mujeres, we aren't lowering our guard against Covid-19, the community and the government are working hand-in-hand to avoid contagion of the virus, taking care of our health, following hygiene measures. On the video, the captions say-- In Isla Mujeres we continue with prevention measures in response to Covid-19.  Society and the government are working hand-in-hand fighting to avoid contagion. We're reinforcing prevention measures and promoting the use of face masks. We continue working for our future, taking care of ourselves and our tourists.

 

A workshop was held for police officers titled "The Police Function" /“La función policial” to strengthen the tools at hand in relation to their rights and duties for optimal performance of their service. The Director of Crime Prevention said these actions seek to strengthen the rule of law within and outside the police department and to guarantee the human rights of the island community. Flavio Carmona Valdivia said, ′′The legitimacy and efficiency of the actions of the police officers are critical to further promoting security, justice and human rights, which is why the police function is at the center of citizenry security."  The official noted that the civil service of the officers primarily is aimed at maintaining peace and order in public places, ensuring respect for laws, and protecting citizens and their property from dangers and criminal acts.

In enclosed spaces and where there are many people, there is a higher likelihood of catching Covid-19, avoid meetings/get-togethers and take care of your health. The graphic says-Avoid gathering with friends.

Wearing face masks correctly and in public spaces helps reduce the spread of Covid-19, keep practicing hygiene measures and take care of your health.

Isla Mujeres government contributing to fighting the propagation of C-19

      Beaches, hotels, and other services will have to adhere to the state epidemiological light to continue the municipality's responsible economic recovery.

        Given the imminent uptick of positive cases of the novel coronavirus in the state and in accordance with the state epidemiological traffic light that puts Isla Mujeres and other municipalities in the Northern Zone of Quintana Roo in the Orange status (Jan 25-31) the municipal government headed Juan Carrillo Soberanis announced that necessary measures will be taken to prevent the possible spread of Covid-19 among island families.

        Kerem Pinto Aguilar, director of ZOFEMAT (Federal Zone agency), explained that measures were implemented on the main beaches of Isla Mujeres months ago, with regulations posted at the entrances, intended to prevent the spread of the disease among visitors & residents. These include capacity limits which will be reduced to 30% for the week of Jan. 25-31.  .

     She said, "Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have adhered to the state epidemiological light, which we will continue to do in order to avoid another lock down. We are at a time when we must redouble personal hygiene measures, for the common good."

     She added that if all segments of society contribute,  we will be able to return to yellow and continue to move forward in the economic recovery of this tourism destination, always in accordance with the recommendations issued by state health services. Meanwhile, for entry to Playa Centro and North Beach, following the regulations and other hygiene measures will continue to be required.

   She concluded, "As a government we have a responsibility to implement and be vigilant about safety and hygiene measures, but it is important that the citizenry also take responsibility, because only together can we deal with this health contingency."

  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.   

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. In the quiet neighborhood of Bachilleres,  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.

 ```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````

  JANUARY EVENTS

 

Full moon rising over the Caribbean  

 

 

Full moon Jan 28 Thursday 6:40p

Jan 29 Friday at 7:41p

Jan 30 Saturday at 8:41p

Jan 31 Sunday at 9:40p

Feb 1 Monday at 10:39p

 Sunrise ~7:24

Sunset 6:21-6:37 (beginning vs end of month)

 

Public events have been suspended due to C-19. Holidays have featured online competitions and events. 

Jan. 6 Dia de los Tres Reyes/Three Kings Day

The Thor Heyerdahl traveling school-sailboat normally visits in late January-early February with about three dozen high school students on board. Under the tutelage of the experienced crew, the students learn to work together, sailing and navigating, as well as receiving their normal lessons. They sail from Germany to the Caribbean, but it's very possibly suspended this year. 

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