Due to the decline in COVID-19 cases and in hospitalization levels, the state of Quintana Roo, including Cancun, Puerto Morelos, Isla Mujeres, Playa del Carmen, the Riviera Maya and Cozumel is now in the green light stage of the Epidemiological Risk Assessment System used by the State and Federal Governments.

The most recent report from the Quintana Roo Health Authorities (Oct 26) is of 7 percent hospital occupancy in designated COVID-19 wards.

In the green light stage, the lowest in the four-tier monitoring system, mask use is still mandatory, social distancing, temperature scans, gel and other protective measures are still in place. Hotels, restaurants, malls, theme parks, golf courses, archaeological sites, public beaches and other tourist services are permitted to open at 80 percent and taking all the necessary precautions. Bars and nightclubs may open at 50 percent capacity.

Flights are picking up with US airlines adding more services to Cancun and Cozumel and renewing routes. Canadian airlines are also flying again. From Europe, KLM has inaugurated a direct flight from Amsterdam, Air France is adding more flights during the week and British Airways has returned after months of suspended service.