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Cancun, Riviera Maya begin reactivation but beaches remain closed

Cancun, Q.R. — The governor of Quintana Roo says that reactivation for the north portion of the state has begun, however, the south will remain in the red.

State Governor Carlos Joaquín clarified that the state has been divided into two zones, the north and the south. The northern zone, which consists of Tulum, Solidaridad (Playa del Carmen, Paamul, Puerto Aventuras), Cozumel, Puerto Morelos, Benito Juárez (Cancun), Lázaro Cárdenas and Isla Mujeres, has been upgraded to an orange light, which means the reactivation of most activities.

The southern zone, which consists of the municipalities of Felipe Carrillo Puerto, José María Morelos, Bacalar and Othón P. Blanco (Mahahual, Chetumal), remains red and with the previous restrictions.

“We will have a traffic light for the southern region and another for the northern region of the state because the virus has appeared at different times and with different intensities in the territory of Quintana Roo,” explained the governor in relation to the Reactivate Quintana Roo plan.

Carlos Joaquín says that the traffic light colors are based on two indicators, the number of new cases that occur or the risk of this contagion, and the availability of medical and hospital infrastructure.

He specified that the resumption of economic activities, based on the traffic light color system, will be gradual, orderly and responsible, always with the priority of maintaining health and saving lives since, he says, the pandemic has not ended.

Health Secretary Alejandra Aguirre Crespo says that people need to continue with at-home hygeine practices, while in pubic, preventative measures such as the wearing of a mouth guard and healthy distancing must continue to be practiced. For those returning to work, healthy distance must be kept and health protocols established by the employer must be applied and compliance enforced.

Carlos Orvañanos, spokesperson for the Reactivate Quintana Roo plan for the southern zone explained that essential activities marked for red such as agriculture, livestock, fishing, aquaculture, mining and construction, as well as some services, will be restarted.

In the northern region, activities marked for orange will restart with maximum capacities of 30 percent with things such as outdoor activities requiring only healthy distance. For the southern zone in red, a majority of activities approved for reactivation can do so at a 15 percent capacity.

In both zones, businesses such as printing, banks, hospitals, grocery stores, agriculture, construction, laundry services, fishing, water services, public security and law enforcement remain an essential service and will be open regardless of the traffic light color.

In orange, artistic, cultural and sporting events along with beaches and public parks remain closed until at least a yellow light has been achieved. However, theaters, cinemas, internet cafes, real estate, tourist nautical activities, adventure operators, car sales, divers, manufacturing, waterparks and theme parks, salons, spas, restaurants, tourist transportation and shopping malls and department stores can operate at a 30 percent capacity under the orange light.

On the other hand, activities such as gyms and sports clubs remain 100 shut until a green traffic light is achieved. The reopening of schools will be determined by health and educational authorities.

The governor explained that each week, the color system will be reviewed. The current orange light for the northern zone is valid for the week of June 8 to 14.