Puerto Vallarta Opens - July 13, 2020
July 13, 2020
Mexico is a world of conflicting information regarding the spread of COVID-19. Tourism is a key industry for Mexico. As members of Grupo Vidanta's resorts, we are particularly interested in the accuracy of information stemming from Mexico, and especially Vidanta's seven resort locations.Information from Mexico is conflicted and not accurate on a timely basis. What that means is the total numbers may be close to representational but the daily numbers may not. Communication priorities are not the same in Mexico as they may be in the US and other parts of the world. Mexico is still a third world country, as much as we want to believe otherwise based on the beautiful, lush properties and luxurious facilities we visit annually.
We have heard from guests who have recently stayed at Vidanta Nayarit. Comments are glowing and complementary about the safety measures that are in place. The difference between this year and previous years is enjoying the surrounding communities by walking through crowds there could be risky. So adhering to the safety measures of masking up, maintaining safe distances and washing hands frequently with sanitizer and soap will reduce the chances of becoming infected.
Keep in mind this article discusses Puerto Vallarta, and the opening of the city in June. Vidanta did not open until July 3, 2020, and the governor of Nayarit exercises much more caution than does the governor of Jaliso.
If you want more information about Puerto Vallarta and the state of the coronavirus there, please tap the following link for news from the Puerto Vallarta Daily: https://www.vallartadaily.com/tag/coronavirus/
Puerto Vallarta reopens to sunshine and uncertainty
Governor threatens lock down as COVID-19 cases rise
In June Puerto Vallarta, Mexico reopened to tourists. Airlines began to restore flights from the U.S. The airport enacted strict physical-distancing protocols, Plexiglass and disinfectant mats. Forty-five hotels opened at 30-percent occupancy. Restaurants spaced tables to maintain distance. Beaches opened up. Bars and clubs remained closed.
Tourists started to trickle back into the popular Mexican beach town after three months of closures.
The influential World Travel and Tourism Council bestowed its "Safe Travel" stamp on Puerto Vallarta and the surrounding state of Jalisco, indicating that governments and companies had adopted "world-class hygiene and sanitation standards."
As in the U.S., things were looking up as the peak summer season beckoned.
Then, on July 6, the state of Jalisco reported a new record of COVID-19 infections with 664 new cases and 19 deaths. According to the Puerto Vallarta Daily News, "with just six days into the month of July, Puerto Vallarta’s COVID-19 numbers are already nearing the figures experienced during the entire month of June. In just five days, 176 new infections have already been registered and 16 people have lost their lives to the coronavirus. In all of June, there were 228 cases of COVID-19 and 31 deaths according to federal reports."
With that news, the governor of Jalisco offered a stern warning that he is prepared to press what he is calling "an emergency button" that would shut down the state if hospitalization and infection rates continued to increase, and hit specific levels.
It's hard to say if the governor will really press the emergency button, or if the threat of another lockdown is bluster to get residents, hotel and restaurant owners, and visitors to pay attention to COVID-19 restrictions.
Don Pickens, the owner of the popular Casa Cupula perched on a hill above town told SFGATE, "Unfortunately the wave of infections in Mexico has been more closely related to the timing of infections in Texas or Arizona than in New York and as a result, in Puerto Vallarta, we are seeing a continuing increase in cases. That said, the state of Jalisco is doing very well compared to the rest of Mexico due to strong quarantine and administration. Our hotel caters to an upscale LGBT audience and we have found that they are among the most adventurous and willing to travel in almost any circumstance. However they are mostly concerned about safety during air travel and those who are making reservations now are generally booking for later in this year."
So is now the time to jump on a plane to Mexico? While the land border between the U.S. and Mexico is closed, flights are still open for Americans flying in both directions. The current ban on non-essential travel between the two countries lifts on July 21, according to the U.S. Embassy in Mexico site. Upon arrival in Mexico, air travelers will be subject to health screenings and temperature checks and could be asked to return to the U.S. if they are exhibiting symptoms.
According to Casa Cupula's Pickens, it won't be that different when you get there. "It is generally more safe to be outdoors as long as you have good social separation so the experience is different but still a wonderful place to relax."
Still, given the dynamic nature of travel these days, it's worth keeping an eye on developments on these sites and checking in with airlines to be sure flight schedules remain intact: Puerto Vallarta Tourism, Puerto Vallarta Daily News. And don't forget your face mask.
Chris McGinnis is SFGATE's senior travel correspondent. You can reach him via email or follow him on Twitter or Facebook. Don't miss a shred of important travel news by signing up for his FREE weekly email updates!