Effective January 26, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will require all air passengers entering the United States (including U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents) to present a negative viral COVID-19 test, taken within three calendar days of departure, or proof of recovery from the virus within the last 90 days.  Airlines must confirm the negative test result or proof of recent recovery for all passengers prior to boarding and must deny boarding of passengers who do not provide documentation of a negative test or recovery.  Please see CDC’s FAQ and the Embassy’s COVID-19 webpage for more information about the new requirement.

At this moment in mid October, the private and public hospital systems are not at capacity. Certainly the nationwide closure of schools is helping to hold the numbers down, but the gradual reopening of Yucatan’s economy could bring them back up again.

Some tourism venues like Maya ruins, museums and cenotes are open with limited hours and daily limits on visitors.  Alcohol retail sales are permitted with limited hours.

ANY of these permissions or restrictions could be changed at any time by the State government if conditions permit.  International travel restrictions–implemented by Mexico or your home country–could change anytime.  Your airline might also make last-minute changes; check with them frequently as your trip approaches.

(If you are planning to drive to Mexico, note that “non-essential” cross-border travel is closed until at least November 21. A good article appears here:  https://www.mexperience.com/mexico-land-border-restrictions-closure-covid-19/ )

An excellent source for current status information on Covid-19, business hours of operation, restaurant operating hours, and other pertinent information is the MID CityBeat Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/midcitybeat.  If you follow the Yucatan Beach Friends FB group, you see the postings there.  MID CityBeat bypasses the rumor mill and goes directly to government sources to get correct, current information.

CONSULAR AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES

The Canadian Consulate in Quintana Roo is providing limited services. The US Consulate in Merida informed us this week “Please note we are slowly adding routine appointments in Merida.”  Checking the Consulate Website shows that all Merida appointments in November are filled; check for cancellations.  December appointments will be opened in mid-November.  The Consulate always holds some slots open for emergencies.  Note that each applicant requires their own appointment, and all visitors to the consulate age two and older must wear a mask.

The Mexican Immigration offices are also running with minimal staff and very few services are offered.  Be sure that all your travel/immigration documents are current before you leave home!  Remember that your passport must be valid for six months after your entry date or you will not be allowed into Mexico.

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN  YOU ARRIVE

First of all, remember that the storm season officially runs through November 30.  Check the National Hurricane Center Website http://hurricanes.gov every few days to see what’s going on out in the Atlantic.  A hurricane like Delta (which missed our immediate area, but not by much) could do massive damage.  Hopefully, we’ll continue the luck of the past 18 years since Hurricane Isidora came through.

Some of the beaches in our area experienced considerable beach erosion from Delta, and some were covered with tons of seaweed.  There has been a lot of cleanup in some areas, but you may find some of your favorite beach spaces are not the same as last year.  Watch the FB groups for photos, or ask a friend in your beach neighborhood how your beach looks. There is a photo down at the bottom of this Newsletter that shows one area of beach in eastern Progreso on October 17–scroll down.

Chelem and Churburna remain in a cleanup mode. An important change in garbage handling since last year: all Public Dumps have been closed. Consult our website BeachAreanews.com for current information on Trash/Garbage pickup by Prolimpia.

Storm possibilities aside, Progreso has been significantly cleaned up by the Ayuntamiento de Progreso.  You’ll find many streets repaved and big improvements in Centro, especially the north end of Calle 80 from the Mercado to the Malecon.  But things are much quieter due to the restrictions on businesses.

Again, MASKS ARE REQUIRED BY LAW IN PUBLIC SPACES.  Although you’re going to see some people without them, our expat community generally tries to set a good example.

Mexico does not require two weeks of self-isolation upon arrival.  But given the infection risk involved in any international travel, you should plan to take your first 14 days to just enjoy your beach area home.  Many area restaurants run delivery services, and there are folks who will do grocery shopping for you as well.  The rule QUEDATE IN CASA! (Stay at Home!) applies double when you just got off a plane.

HEALTH CARE

IMPORTANT:  Besides having COVID around, we are also approaching FLU season.  Dra. Fany Lucia Rubio Losa of Merida Health Travel advised us recently that the flu vaccine may be in short supply (and of questionable quality) in Mexico. 
If you want to get a flu vaccine this winter, do it before you leave home. 

Make sure your health insurance covers COVID.  (For that matter, make sure it covers you outside your home country!)  We are aware of three Yucatan companies who provide different healthcare-related services to foreigners:

• Amexcare (works with US insurance companies only)
• HealthItinerary
• Merida Health Travel

THE GOOD NEWS

The weather is moving out of the summer humidity and into the winter season that we all love.  Our local Progreseños are still warm and friendly, even though it’s a bit harder for them to express it.  The Gulf waters are the same emerald green as before.  Get your flu shot, pack your masks, and come on down!

MAILING LIST POLICY NOTE:
Every issue of Beach Area News has an Unsubscribe link at the bottom, which will instantly take you off our list.  Please know that if you do this, Mailchimp’s robust spam control policies prevent us from adding you back using that same address.  If you change your mind later, you can easily send us a different address to use. OR write to us and we will send you a special “sign up yourself” URL.  (We do not make that public to keep US from being spammed!)

Look forward to seeing your smiling faces this winter.  Safe Travels to all.
The Beach Area News Team
Bob Rentz, Speranza Avram, Karen Cloutier, Dave Bloch

Below is a ROUGH translation of the Spanish-language brochure many have received regarding trash.   A couple of  important points:

• The landfill mentioned is NOT for residents.  It is for construction waste and is not in Chelem, Chuburna, Chicxlub, Uaymitum or any location you may recognize.
• The brochure mentions keeping your account up to date.   Registering and paying your fees at discounted rates is about to end.  2021 Budgets are in the works.  Make sure you get the discounted rates.
• Calling the Ecology Police when you see something that is just wrong, continues to be a priority.–BeachAreaNews team

BEGIN TRANSLATION OF PROLIMPIA BROCHURE:

The Progreso City Council, by changing the Prolimpia address, invites you to familiarize yourself with your garbage collection service.

Since November 1, The Prolimpia company has been the only authorized management of solid household waste in the municipality of Progreso and its commasarios leading to the following actions:

• Implementation of routes and schedules for each area of the ports and its commasarios.
• Maintenance and pickup at established points for—Chelem-Chuburna.
• Maintenance and pick up at established points for-Chicxlub-Uaymitun.
• Sanitation of the Landfill and construction of the new Landfill. [This location is not for residents, but for Construction waste and involves a fee to use]
• Special pickup service for large waste and mass CleanupsWith these and more actions we seek to mark a change to have a worthy and clean Progreso.  Your participation as a user is indispensable for the system to be sustainable. Help us:
• Keep your service up to date.
• Take out your garbage according to your route and schedule Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
• Contact us to resolve your questions and concerns
• Deliver your waste only to our collection units
• Report pirate collectors who generate clandestine dump sites and damage the environment.

Currently we are carrying out a data update in our system.  We are currently using GPS for each Property, this in order to have more accurate information and that will be more effective and efficient, when we visit your property, this will allow:

• Updating your property will make you aware of different promotions
• Identification of the owner and/or occupant of the house
• Provide phone notices for improvement of dealing of complaints and notices regarding service
• E-Mail, providing a paperless system to make us more media friendly
• If we visited you and you were not home, and you want to update your information, you can contact us making reference to Folio #_______ by any of these methods:
  • Land lines—969 103-6494
  • 969-688-1042. Whats APP—999-362-6077
  • Admistration Email: Prolimpia@ayuntamientodeprogreso.gob.mx

Or visit our offices located in the park on Calle 142 between Calles 31 and 33 in Progreso (near Yucalpeten).

We are at your service!  Let’s work together for the care of the environment.

We owe a debt of gratitude to the management and Staff of ProLimpia.  They were presented a challenge and have responded exceptionally.  Make sure you thank them as you interact with them.

• Service will return to normal days of pickup.
• If you see areas littered such as Entradas, etc, you can report them via WhatApp message to Felipe Borges. 999-947-1071.
• If you see dumping or anything just not right, call or text Ecology, 999-359-0369 on WhatsApp.  If you fail to receive a response, please advise us team@beachareanews.com .

Most important is the effort now to register individuals, assign the proper fees and pay those fees so that your service can continue.   These efforts are being extended to Visitors and Tourists.

• Those individuals whom have a Prolimpia bill and paid for the entire year at the $200 Pesos per month,  can e-mail Yaremi Zarate  a copy of their bill, Visa, and Prolimpia account number: Yaremi.zarate@ayuntamientodeprogreso.gob.mx.   She will reduce your bill for September-December to $70 a month and apply any overpayment as a credit, which can be applied to 2021 fees due.  There will be not be a rebate or credit for the first 8 months of the year.
• Those individuals who have not registered with Prolimpia and have a Water Bill, and have Permanent Resident Visas, will need to register, receive a Prolimpia bill/invoice and bring their account up to date. (A good example of how to do that is already posted by Lisa Dart Robertson on multiple sites).
• Those with Temporary Resident Visas will need to register, and bring their account up to date.  They can have their fees reduced from the $200 fee to $100 pesos.  You will need the same documents as stated above. Predial must be for 2020.
• Those individuals that do not have water Service from the City, either because it was never hooked up or you officially withdrew service, need to register.  You will need a CFE bill, Copies of your Visa and proof of payment of Predial 2020. Providing GPS coordinates of their location will be helpful. You will need to go to the office.   Lisa Dart Robertson has posted details of the process on multiple sites.
• Landlords are responsible for paying fees.  Please advise your landlords of these requirements.  As an incentive, Landlords can receive the $100 fee.  If from Merida, a valid drivers license will serve as ID when paying the $100 fee.  If your landlord resides in the Progreso Municipality, the fee can be $70.  (If a Mexican, a copy of drivers license is acceptable.  If Foreign owner, a copy of their Visa is necessary).

All of these discounts are for a limited time.  Come mid September, and the discounts will no longer be available.

This program will remain a work in progress. Updates will be provided as needed.

There are other programs being developed to minimize the littering of the community.  Recycling, etc.  Stay tuned for that info.

Thanks to all in being part of the solution and keeping our community clean.

You’ve all heard about this happening; here is what to do if your home has been bypassed by ProLimipia’s trucks up to now.

1. Go out to the street and take a photo of your house.
2. From that spot, open the Maps app on your phone.  Wait for the spot that shows your location to settle down to exactly where you are, then
3. Touch and Hold your finger on that spot until the the red icon shows up. Continue holding until the latitude and longitude appear at the top of the screen.
   (On some devices, when the red icon appears, you must pull up the white bar from the bottom of the screen until you see the lat/long numbers.)
4. Write those numbers down exactly as they appear.
5. Send that information, along with your name, street address, and any other helpful information (like your entrada) to ProLimpia via WhatsApp: 999 362 6077.
6. ProLimpia may send someone to your house to confirm the location.  They will send trucks this weekend for a special garbage pickup.