Mexico’s COVID Traffic Light System and What It Means?

When Covid-19 began overwhelming all hospitals in Mexico, the country implemented a traffic light system to keep you informed on which states have a higher hospitalization rate than others and what activities you should refrain from doing.

The traffic light system is now fully adopted nationwide, with news outlets referring to the colors when talking about Covid and even insurance companies using it to assess risk in certain areas.

But what does this mean for you?

In most cases, the colors indicate what activities you can do and which ones are limited. To adopt this as the “new normal,” I’ll give you the specifics.

the traffic light system is based on 4 colors

Covid-19 Traffic Light System is Based On 4 Colors.

RED Core economic activities are allowed, including strolling in the area surrounding your home during the day.

ORANGE In addition to core economic activities, non-essential businesses can run with only 30% of their staff. Maximum precautionary measures must be taken, mainly with people at a higher risk of a severe COVID-19 illness. Outdoor activity centers will be open, allowing only a limited capacity (number of people).

YELLOW All working activities are allowed, with care being taken of people that may be at a higher risk of a severe COVID-19 illness. Outdoor activity centers will be open, allowing only a limited capacity (number of people). As is true with other traffic-light colors, these activities should be carried out using basic precautionary measures and care taken of people who may be at a higher risk of a severe COVID-19 illness.

GREEN All activities, including schooling, are allowed.

What Data Are The Colors Based On?

If you’re like me, you probably want to understand how someone came up with the traffic light system and what data was used to back it up?

Red: If hospital occupancy exceeds  65% or if there are two continuous weeks of stable increase.

Orange: If the hospital occupancy is below 65% and recorded two continuous weeks of a downtrend.

Yellow: If the hospital occupancy is below of the 50% and if there are  two continuous weeks of downtrend.

Green: If the hospital occupancy is below  of the  50% and less a month with stable low occupancy .

Where Can You Get The Most Current Info?

I got a snapshot of the most current traffic light system map for Mexico. However, you can get the most up-to-date information on the Mexican government’s website.

As of June 2021, 80% of the country is GREEN! Only a few states like Quintana Roo and Mexico City are still under YELLOW.

However, you must keep in mind that just because a state is GREEN, it doesn’t mean there aren’t any sick people. It simply means the state can re-open all normal activities, including schools, but its residents still have to use a face mask and follow other hygiene measures the state requires.

To me, this is exciting news! 

If most states are in the green then slowly and surely, we can go back to a “new normal” and start to have our prosperous and colorful Mexico back. 

Thanks for reading! Want to get more information about living or retiring in Mexico? Join my email list, and get useful tips.