Q&A – Riviera Nayarit COVID-19

 General – Riviera Nayarit

• What health and safety measures has Riviera Nayarit implemented in the hospitality sector?

The Riviera Nayarit CVB developed the Riviera Nayarit Tourism Wellness & Best Practices Guide, a handbook for destination partners on how they should enhance sanitation and safety standards to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. The guide compiles protocols outlined by the State of Nayarit, Mexican federal authorities, established international health organizations and the world’s leading nations.

Click here for the complete list of safety measures in the CVB’s guide.

Additionally, Riviera Nayarit was one of the first to join the list of global destinations that have earned the World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Safe Travel Stamp, a highly-regarded recognition that is granted to destinations and hotels around the world that have adopted globally standardized health and hygiene protocols.

• Are there any travel restrictions to the Riviera Nayarit?

No, there currently are no travel restrictions for inbound travel to Riviera Nayarit.

• Is Riviera Nayarit open to tourists?

Yes. Riviera Nayarit’s hospitality sector, including hotels, restaurants and other businesses, are welcoming visitors while strictly abiding by protocols and health measures put forth by state officials and operating at 50% capacity to ensure safe social distancing. Beaches are also open at 50% capacity.

• What is the timeline to open tourism in the destination 100%?

It is a gradual process, in compliance with the federal government’s epidemiological risk traffic light system: https://coronavirus.gob.mx/semaforo/.

• What alert level is Riviera Nayarit in?

Currently, the State of Nayarit is in the level Yellow of the epidemiological risk traffic light system. However, Riviera Nayarit, located on Nayarit’s west coast, was granted permission to gradually reopen hotels, restaurants, travel-related businesses and beaches at 50% capacity.

The beach town of San Blas, however, has restriction starting January 28, 2021, mandating that all non-essential businesses be closed during weekends.

• Is it safe to visit Riviera Nayarit right now?

Yes! Riviera Nayarit is safe for travelers to visit right now. Over the last couple months, Riviera Nayarit’s entire tourism industry, including hotels, restaurants, airports, marinas, tour operators and other travel-related businesses have worked tirelessly to implement enhanced safety and sanitation protocols in preparation for guest arrivals. Additionally, industry workers have been trained to identify and isolate potential cases until guests can receive the proper medical attention. Testament to the destination’s safety, Riviera Nayarit was one of the first to join the list of global destinations that have earned the World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Safe Travel Stamp, a highly-regarded recognition that is granted to destinations and hotels around the world that have adopted globally standardized health and hygiene protocols.

• Do tourists have to be COVID tested or show proof of a negative test result?

No, tourists will not be required to provide COVID-19 test results to visit Riviera Nayarit. However, airports and other ports of entry will perform temperature checks and other controls to monitor all passenger arrivals.

• Are tourists required to self-quarantine upon arrival?

No, tourists will not be required to self-quarantine except those who are sick upon arrival. 

• Are tourists required to wear face masks at all times?

Tourists are not required to wear face masks at all times, but are encouraged to do so in crowded spaces. All employees in hospitality, however, are required to wear face masks.

• Is there a curfew?

There is no curfew at the moment. 

• Are beaches open to travelers?

Currently, public beaches are open at 50% capacity, per the Governor of Nayarit’s decree.

• What, if any, are the new protocols at the airport once travelers arrive at the destination?

Puerto Vallarta International Airport, Riviera Nayarit’s nearest airport, will be temperature monitoring all passenger arrivals and departures via thermal imaging cameras. For more information on the airport’s new protocols, visit: https://www.aeropuertosgap.com.mx/en/.

• What protocols have hotels in Riviera Nayarit put in place to ensure the safety of guests and employees?

In addition to following the State of Nayarit’s protocols and regulations, many properties are implementing protocols and capacity limits established by their parent companies. Travelers should visit the hotel’s website or contact preferred service providers directly to confirm protocols implemented at their property of choice.

• What protocols are in place for using public transportation in the destination?

Taxi operators are encourage to limit contact by following the following measures: avoid passengers using front seat; stay six feet apart from passengers when outside the vehicle; lower windows to allow fresh air to circulate; don’t offer items such as water bottles or magazines to reduce possibility of transmission; use a partition between the front and back areas of the vehicle; use facemasks at all times; and have antibacterial gel available at all times. Taxis are also required to thoroughly clean the vehicle after every service.

• What health and safety measures are restaurants in the destination implementing?

Restaurants must reduce the numbers of tables by 50%; require employees to wear face masks at all times; entrances must have disinfectant floor mats with alkaline sodium hypochlorite concentrations; conduct temperature checks for arriving guests and employees; and provide hand sanitizer gel that is 70% alcohol-based. Eliminating buffets is strongly recommended; however, if kept, hotels and restaurants must install sneeze screens at all food stations and be served by kitchen staff using personal protective equipment (PPE).

• What hotels are open?

An extensive list of hotel opening dates can be found on the COVID-19 statement on Riviera Nayarit’s website: www.RivieraNayarit.com

Properties not included on that list should be contacted directly.

• Which airlines have reinstated flight routes in/out of Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR)?

Air connectivity from the United States to Riviera Nayarit’s nearest airport, Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR), is gradually being reinstated with airlines operating flight routes including daily flights on American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, and weekly flights on Delta Airlines. We recommend you consult directly with your preferred airline to confirm flight schedules and routes.

• Where can I get the latest updates related to COVID-19 in the Riviera Nayarit?

 The Government of the State of Nayarit provides the most current information on COVID-19 here: https://covid19.nayarit.gob.mx/. For the most up-to-date travel-related information, visit the COVID-19 section of Riviera Nayarit’s website: www.RivieraNayarit.com.

• How is Riviera Nayarit’s health system prepared to handle COVID-19 cases?

Riviera Nayarit has a robust health system that has been able to support those who have become infected with COVID-19. As in the rest of the world, COVID-19 is a public health threat, which is why we have implemented strict preventive sanitary and social distancing measures that have contributed to flatten the curve of new cases and to reduce the pressure on hospitals and other health institutions in the country.

• What would happen if a traveler contracts COVID-19 while vacationing in Riviera Nayarit?

Travelers who contract COVID-19 will be immediately quarantined, and if necessary, be transferred to one of the local hospitals that are ready and well prepared to assist. Most hotels have dedicated certain guest rooms for these cases.

• • The Punta Mita Hospital Emergency
    Emergency Phone: (329) 688 0068
    Located close to La Cruz de Huancaxtle, Sayulita, San Francisco and Lo de Marcos.

• CMQ Riviera Nayarit Hospital
  Emergency Phone: (329) 298 0717
  Av. Héroes de Nacozari 280 Bucerías, 63732
  Riviera Nayarit, Nay., Mexico
  Located close to Flamingos, La Cruz de Huancaxtle, Sayulita and San Francisco.

• San Javier Riviera Nayarit Hospital
  Emergency Phone: (322) 226 8181
  Paseo de los Cocoteros # 55, Nautico Turistico, 63732
  Nuevo Vallarta, Nay., Mexico
  Located in the Nuevo Vallarta – Flamingos corridor.

 

About COVID-19

• What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus. This new virus and disease were unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. COVID-19 is now a pandemic affecting many countries globally.

 

• What can I do to protect myself and prevent the spread of disease?

To reduce your chances of being infected or spreading COVID-19, take the following simple precautions:

• Clean your hands frequently with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands.
• Maintain at least six feet distance between yourself and others to avoid droplets from others through coughs, sneezes, or speaking.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth as hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and infect you.
• Follow good respiratory hygiene, including covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately and wash your hands.
• Stay home and self-isolate even with minor symptoms such as cough, headache, mild fever, until you recover.

• What are the symptoms of the Coronavirus?

Reported symptoms have ranged from mild to severe illness and death. Symptoms can include fever, dry cough, headache, sore throat, aches and pains and shortness of breath. Symptoms of COVID-19 may appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 days after exposure. This is based on what has been seen previously as the incubation period of MERS-CoV viruses.

• How does the virus spread?

The virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly from person to person, mainly through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Spread is more likely when people are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).

• Can mosquitos or ticks spread the virus that causes COVID-19?

According to the CDC, at this time there is no data to suggest that this new coronavirus or other similar coronaviruses are spread by mosquitoes or ticks. The main way that COVID-19 spreads is from person to person.

• Where can I find more information?
  • World Health Organization (WHO)
  • Ministry of Health in Mexico
  • The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Airlines New Protocols