Mexico’s COVID-19 Traffic Light Monitoring System: News For July 5–18, 2021 – Coronavirus (COVID-19)

In June 2020, the government of Mexico instituted a four-tiered
traffic light epidemiological monitoring system to track the COVID-19
pandemic and align COVID-19-related mandates and restrictions with
the health risks present in each of Mexico’s 32 states.

The federal government’s latest traffic light report shows
that 19 states are in green status (the color corresponding to a
full return to normal activities), 8 states are in yellow status
(the level indicating a moderate level of restrictions), and 5
states are in orange status (the status aligned with more stringent
limitations on commercial and social activity). No state is in red
status. The states’ respective color statuses are unchanged
from the last report.

This chart presents the traffic light status of
each state, and, as applicable, variations between federal and
local traffic light statuses based on publications of the federal
Ministry of Health and status reports provided by each state.
States may apply restrictive levels that differ from the federal
government’s designations.

Vaccinations and Current Conditions

Vaccinations in Mexico continue apace. As of July 8, 2021,
Mexico had administered at least 48,499,324 doses of COVID-19
vaccines. Approximately 26 percent of Mexico’s 127 million
people have received at least one vaccine dose, and 16 percent of
the population has been fully vaccinated. Mexico’s health
ministry has reported a recent increase in the number of COVID-19
cases, though hospitalizations have remained low. Baja
California Sur, in particular, has experienced a spike in daily
cases. Below is a map for the period of July 5, 2021, through July
18, 2021, indicating the COVID-19 risk level in each of the states
and the capital.

Mexico City

The Monitoring Committee of Mexico City has determined that the
capital is in yellow status. Pursuant to Mexico City guidance, educational, social, cultural, and
religious activities may take place in venues at 60 percent of
capacity. The Mexico City Monitoring Committee has not indicated
the percentage of capacity permitted for private corporate offices
operating in the capital. In this context, employers may wish to
consider adhering to federal government guidelines, limiting
workplace occupancies to 50 percent of capacity, complying with
sanitary measures, and conducting, on a weekly basis, rapid antigen
tests or reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)
tests of at least 20 percent of the personnel working on-site.

Mexico City’s Administrative Verification Institute and
other Mexico City governmental authorities continue to conduct
workplace verification visits to confirm that employers are
complying with the general and specific health and safety measures.
In the event that a verification visit results in a finding of
noncompliance, the authorities may impose fines and/or order the
total or partial temporary suspension of work centers for up to 15
calendar days.

Ogletree Deakins will continue to monitor and report on
developments with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic and will post
updates in the firm’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resource Center as
additional information becomes available. Important information for
employers is also available via the firm’s webinar and podcast programs.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general
guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought
about your specific circumstances.