Riviera Maya, Q.R. — The strategy Reactivate Quintana Roo already includes more than 4,700 businesses around the state, says the head of tourism, who she says, have signed up to meet the new health requirements for tourism. However, Governor Carlos Joaquín does warn that the COVID-19 health contingency has not ended, and that if people neglect sanitary measures, it could result in another quarantine.
He says the people of Quintana Roo have to learn to live with the coronavirus. “Until now, we have fought it by staying at home, but as soon as we leave our homes, the situation will be different. For this reason, we must always maintain preventive and hygiene measures, especially those of social distancing.”
“There is still no vaccine or medication that allow us to fully protect ourselves,” he added. “If we work as a team, in accordance with this plan, we will be able to contain and reduce the level of contagion, controlling its effects.”
The governor noted that “if we neglect and relax discipline in complying with sanitary measures, there may be a new outbreak of the virus that would put the health of the population at risk. If that happens, we will return to the red traffic light color, which implies returning to isolation in our homes,” he stressed.
He affirmed that on June 8, the gradual reactivation of the economy will begin. Upon resuming tourist activities, more than 4,700 Quintana Roo companies will have the Certification in Health Protection and Prevention in Tourist Facilities issued by the State Tourism Secretariat (Sedetur) and the State Health Secretariat (SESA).
Registration for certification was opened May 18, at no cost and on a voluntary basis. The certification consists of 279 criteria, of which 223 are compulsory and 56 are voluntary. Its objective is to maintain the necessary sanitary measures for the prevention and containment of COVID-19, as well as to support the tourism industry in Quintana Roo for the incorporation of improved sanitary security practices in order to provide clients with confidence and certainty.
The head of Sedetur, Marisol Vanegas, reported that to date, 4,715 companies have been registered, of which 4,000 will most likely be certified for the gradual reopening of tourism next week. Companies that have obtained the certificate will be backed by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) to add confidence to travelers that they will be visiting a health-approved destination.