U.S. EMBASSY & CONSULATES IN MEXICO
JANUARY 4, 2022
FEDERAL COVID INFORMATION AND RESOURCES COVID testing availability in Mexico
The Secretariat of Health (Salud) maintains a list of approved laboratories (Spanish only) for viral COVID-19 testing. Many local hospitals, clinics, and laboratories offer private testing for travel purposes. The cost of PCR tests typically ranges from approximately 950 MXN to 4500 MXN, and the cost of viral antigen tests typically range from 200 MXN to 1000 MXN, depending on location and speed of results. Travelers are responsible for the costs of their own tests and any associated medical care. The Embassy and Consulates are unable to administer or pay for tests.
The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico list of private testing providers. This list is not comprehensive and the information within is subject to change at any time.
Some airlines and international airports in Mexico offer testing on-site as a last resort for travelers – please confirm directly with your carrier for more information on availability of this service. Even if such an option is available, it is recommended to obtain your test results before arriving at the airport. At some of the indicated airports, testing on-site is only available to international passengers utilizing specific carriers, and not to all U.S.-bound travelers. If you must test on-site at an airport where it is offered, you should arrive at least three hours earlier (or follow carrier recommendations) to allow time for results. Please note testing at the airport may result in missing your flight or onward connections due to delays or if you receive a positive test result.
Travelers visiting Mexico should contact their tour provider or hotel for more information on local testing options. You will have to pay for your test. You should contact your medical/travel insurance to find out if they will reimburse you.
Consult with your chosen testing provider on test result delivery method and language.
COVID Vaccines in Mexico
Mexico has approved emergency use of the AstraZeneca, CanSino, COVAX, India Surem Institute, Pfizer, and Sputnik V vaccines. The Mexican government has prioritized frontline health care workers. For more information on vaccines available in Mexico, please visit the Mexican Government’s Secretary of Health
Mexican citizens and permanent and temporary residents of Mexico are eligible to receive the vaccine. Please review our English Language Instructions on how to register for the vaccine.
U.S. citizens with residency status and a CURP (Clave Única de Registro de Población) may be eligible to register to be vaccinated. A CURP is a unique identity code that Mexican citizens and permanent and temporary residents are issued.
Individuals who have been vaccinated in Mexico can obtain a vaccination certificate from the Mexican Government’s Secretary of Health ’s web page.
If you don’t know your CURP, search for it on RENAPO’s web page.
People are not required to present proof of vaccination to attend school, travel, or engage in routine, daily activities. However, these rules are subject to change.
Stay up to date with the latest information on the COVID-19 vaccine in Mexico by visiting the following website: http://vacunacovid.gob.mx (Spanish only)
For more information about COVID-19 vaccines for U.S. citizens abroad, please visit: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/vaccine-info-for-us-citizens-abroad.html
You may also consider returning to the United States to receive your vaccine. For more information on how to register for the COVID-19 vaccine in your home state, visit your U.S. state’s Health Department website.
Information from the CDC regarding COVID-19 vaccination.
Visit the FDA’s website to learn more about FDA-approved vaccines in the United States.
Quarantine Information
U.S. citizens are not required to quarantine.
The Mexican government encourages people to continue respecting social distancing measures, washing their hands, and coughing or sneezing in the inner part of the elbow to prevent the spread of COVID-19. A variety of prevention measures can be found at https://coronavirus.gob.mx/
For U.S. citizens who have participated in higher risk activities or think that they may have been exposed before or during a trip, the CDC encourages people to take the following extra precautions to protect others for 14 days after arrival at their destination:
Avoid staying around people at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
Consider getting tested for COVID-19.
In the United States, quarantine requirements and recommendations may vary by state. Therefore, travelers should review an individual state’s entry requirements before traveling.
Transportation Options
Commercial flights and public transportation are operating.
Some states and municipalities have implemented transportation restrictions. Please see additional information on state specific restrictions in the State-Level section below.
Fines for Non-Compliance with COVID Restrictions.
Consequences for non-compliance are not universal. Restrictions vary based on state and/or city.
Local Resources:
Call the Mexican Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 hotline at 800 0044 800 for information or medical attention. English language operators are sometimes, but not always, available.
Local telephone numbers for COVID-19 assistance in each state are available here: https://coronavirus.gob.mx/contacto/
U.S. citizens in Mexico with questions about Mexican immigration policies should contact local immigration authorities for information.
Refer to the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19MX app that provides Spanish-language information about COVID-19 and local health care resources. It includes contact information for health care providers, an interactive diagnostic tool that analyzes reported symptoms and advises whether or not to seek medical care, the location of the nearest health care facility, the latest news related to COVID-19, and advice on how to prevent the spread of the disease. The app is available via the Mexican iOS and Android stores.
Information about state and municipal level responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, and links to the official state COVID-19 websites are below.
Please note that the situation is rapidly changing, and that the information provided here about local and state restrictions is subject to change without notice and may not be comprehensive.
ENTRY AND EXIT REQUIREMENTS
U.S. citizens are permitted to enter.
Travelers entering Mexico by land from Belize, Guatemala, or the United States may be denied admission if the purpose of their visit is considered non-essential (SRE Announcement ).
Travelers should carry evidence of the essential nature of their visit and evidence of their resident status in Mexico, if applicable.
A negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) is not required for entry.
Health screening procedures in place at airports and other ports of entry.
Passengers and aircrew members arriving at Mexican airports may be subject to health screenings including temperature checks. Those exhibiting symptoms may be subject to additional health screening and/or quarantine.
Travelers entering Mexico via land may be subject to health screen including temperature checks. Travelers may experience significant delays and face the possibility of being returned to the United States or quarantined in Mexico.
Mexican Immigration (INM) continues to provide law enforcement and public counter services across Mexico.
However, due to reduced staffing, members of the public might experience long wait times for routine services. INM recommends monitoring its website and Twitter account for information about its current operating status.
For information on extending your authorized stay in Mexico visit the nearest INM Office .
MOVEMENT RESTRICTIONS – NATIONAL COVID STOPLIGHT SYSTEM
The four metrics to determine the colors in the Mexican government’s stoplight system are the trend in numbers of new cases, hospital occupancy trends, current hospital occupancy rates, and percentage of positive cases. If one indicator is red, the whole state will be designated red.
Under red, only essential activities are allowed. Essential activities include: the provision of medical services and supplies, grocery delivery services, operation of grocery stores, restaurant delivery and carryout services, assurance of public safety, maintenance of fundamental economic functions and government social programs, work in critical infrastructure, construction, and manufacturing of transportation equipment. Hotels are limited to 25 percent occupancy for guests working on critical activities. Parks are also limited to 25 percent occupancy.
Under orange, hotels, restaurants, barber shops, open-air parks, and gyms are limited to 50 percent capacity. Markets and supermarkets will operate at 75 percent capacity. Additionally, shopping malls, churches, cinemas, theaters, museums, and cultural events will be limited to 25 percent capacity.
Under yellow, all work activities are permitted. Public space may open on a regular basis, while enclosed public spaces can open with reduced capacity. All activities should be carried out with basic prevention measures. People at higher risk of developing COVID-19 symptoms should continue to take extra precautions.
Under green, all economic and social activities, including school, are permitted while taking appropriate precautions.
Hotel guests in some areas may be subject to occupancy limits or asked to provide an employer letter certifying the essential nature of their business. Hotel guests showing respiratory symptoms will be referred to health authorities. The U.S. government does not pay for lodging or other expenses incurred due to travel disruptions abroad.
States and municipalities may implement additional restrictions on public gatherings, transportation, business operations, and government operations if health conditions warrant and/or developed separate stoplight systems from those at the federal level.
