Mexico’s COVID-19 Traffic Light Monitoring System: News for December 7, 2020, to December 20, 2020

In an effort to control the spread of COVID-19, the Mexican federal government implemented a four-color “traffic light” monitoring system in June 2020 to alert residents to the epidemiological risks in each of the country’s 32 states and provide guidance on restrictions on certain activities. The twice-monthly monitoring system is aligned with health protocols to guide Mexico’s states through the country’s phased reopening plan. Below is a map for the period of December 7, 2020, to December 20, 2020, indicating the COVID-19 risk level in each of Mexico’s 32 states.

In recent weeks, COVID-19 cases have been significantly increasing throughout the country, resulting in many more states entering into orange traffic light status. Fourteen states were in orange traffic light status in our previous edition, but now there are 24 in this status, the highest number of states at the second-most restrictive level since late August 2020. Two states that had been in orange traffic light status in the previous edition are now in red traffic light status, the most restrictive status. However, there has been some progress, with three states in green traffic light status—the first time that more than two have entered the status in which “all activities … are allowed.”

Baja California, one of the two states in red traffic light status, has not implemented coercive measures for cases of noncompliance with restrictions intended to prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, some of the states in orange traffic light status, such as Chihuahua and Sonora, maintain coercive measures for cases of noncompliance with pandemic preventative protocols.

Mexico City, which continues to be in orange traffic light status, has imposed additional restrictions, such as the closure of all jurisdictional authorities. In addition, Mexico City is limiting hospital occupancy to around 60 percent of the capacity in public and private hospitals. In our view, limitations are being imposed in Mexico City as if the traffic light were in red status.

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.

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.