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04/29/09
Cancun, Mexico & U.S. Flu Update For Travelers: Suspension of Non Essential Activities
Filed under: Cancun Tourism, Cancun Swine Flu/AH1N1
Posted by: Dangers @ 9:52 pm

Mexico Government announces “suspension of all non essential activities” from May 1st to May 5th.

Representatives from the Federal Government of Mexico announced a suspension of all non essential activities between May 1st and May 5th. The suspension applies to all non essential government offices and businesses. The authorities asked that the individual States in Mexico comply with the order. Businesses allowed to stay open under the directive are pharmacies, supermarkets, food stores, restaurants, gas stations and the phantom retail outlets known as miscellaneous according to the reports. Government services will remain open for basic requirements including trash collection (public/private), airports, hospitals and roadways.

Press Reports from Cancun: Indicate that the Eco Parks like Xcaret and Xel Ha will remain open, beaches will remain open, malls will remain open, bars and clubs will have limited occupancy requirements with some closings, marinas will remain open, there’s no news of any mass hotel closings or tourist evacuations and that the Cancun Airport has installed infrared body temperature detection machines that will monitor passengers arriving and departing for potential signs of illness based on body temperature. While things are not operating as normal due to the Federal Government decree, Cancun remains open for business. (updated 04/30/09)

Local Cancun Blogger CancunCanuck is following the story from Cancun on her blog at http://www.cancuncanuck.com/. I highly recommend folks check out the information regarding special health detection equipment being utilized by the Cancun Airport starting tomorrow and other issues involving closures of local government and businesses.

Fort Worth Texas:
In Fort Worth, Texas, local officials closed school districts to a 130,000 students indefinitely.

Nationally:
In addition, reports in the U.S. are confirming over 100 U.S. school districts around the country will be closing due to suspected and confirmed threats of swine flu cases.

Presidential Press Conference:
U.S. President Obama stated; “

“I’ve asked every American to take the same steps you would take to
prevent any other flu: Keep your hands washed; cover your mouth when
you cough; stay home from work if you’re sick; and keep your children
home from school if they’re sick,”.

Obama downplayed
the possibility of closing the border with Mexico as a way to control
the virus, also known by its clinical name of H1N1.


Breaking News: World Health Organization Raises Alert status to five (5) of six (6), the second highest level, indicating swine flu nears widespread human infection and pandemic level. Phase 5 is characterized by human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries in one WHO region. While most countries will not be affected at this stage, the declaration of Phase 5 is a strong signal that a pandemic is imminent and that the time to finalize the organization, communication, and implementation of the
planned mitigation measures is short.

04/29/09 Mexico Travel and World Influenza Update

1) Reports indicate that the first confirmed U.S. fatality from swine flu in Texas of a 23 month old child.
2) Cruise Ship Industry cancels Mexico Ports of call temporarily.
3) In Cancun, no confirmed cases of swine flu.
4) In Cancun and Playa Del Carmen, voluntary efforts by local bars, clubs and restaurants to limit clientele.
5) All Archaeological sites in Mexico closed until further notice by INAH.
6) Most Canadian Flights canceled to Mexico.
7) UK based Thompson Travel and First Choice cancel Mexico flights and tours temporarily to Mexico.
8) Suspected new swine flu cases in multiple US States.
9) Wikipedia Swine Flu Map: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_swine_flu_outbreak

     Confirmed deaths     Confirmed cases     Unconfirmed cases
10) First confirmed case of Swine Flu in Germany
11) Cancun reporting estimated 30% loss in Hotel business, 50% in
restaurant industry and limited tourist activity in retail areas.
12) “Rumors” of Tourist Evacuation Over the Next Few Days:
This one’s a bit sketchy but a report (rumor?) in the press from Spain appear to indicate that the Spanish newspaper El Pais and Spanish authorities believe that tourists in Cancun and Quintana Roo will be evacuated (their terminology, not ours) to their home countries over the next few days, ending on Sunday. The paper quotes the Mexican Secretary of
Tourism as stating the majority of tourists will start to fly out
between Friday and Sunday. They further state that the airlines, Air
Canada, Air Europe, Martin Air, Tui, Condor and Thompson will take part
with no mention of any of the Mexican or American Airlines. We, repeat that this one is confirmed in only one source at this time and until further confirmation must be considered rumor. Without further confirmation we currently consider this a misinterpretation by the Spanish Press.http://www.elpais.com/articulo/internacional/Mexico/suspende/todas/actividades/esenciales/elppgl/20090430elpepuint_3/Tes



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