International coronavirus restrictions do not prohibit Americans from visiting Mexico
Editor’s note: In early July, the government of Sonora, Mexico closed the border to non-essential travel, to include leisure tourism. However, Americans may still cross the border for medical and dental services, and to purchase medication. Read more here.
Also, since this article was written, novel coronavirus cases have steadily increased in Sonora, Mexico and both Nogales, Arizona and Nogales, Sonora have implemented requirements for mandatory face coverings.
Nogales dentists, doctors and pharmacies are open for business
Last week’s White House Coronavirus Task Force announcements restricting “non-essential” traffic from Mexico and Canada do not apply to Americans who want to cross those international borders.
And although the U.S. State department has advised Americans to avoid international travel, their statement focuses on countries that have experienced wide outbreaks. As of today, Sonora only has four reported cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus, although that could be due to a lack of testing in many areas of the state.
Nogales border crossings
Although the Mexico travel restrictions officially went into effect last Friday night, Mexican nationals have reported that they were restricted from crossing the border into the United States as early as last Wednesday.
As a result, lines to cross the border are short if not nonexistent, allowing those in line to practice safe physical distancing. Read more about crossing the Nogales border. See a photo of the empty DeConcini pedestrian crossing here.
Dental and medical services
Nogales’s dental and medical services providers are open for business. And as always, dentists and doctors offices are equipped with personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect patients and dental staff from the coronavirus and other pathogens.
Coronavirus hotspots like New York have prohibited elective surgeries and dental services in order to conserve the amount of PPE for the supply of those caring for those with coronavirus infections.
It is possible that at some point Arizona will do the same. If you have pending dental needs, this may be the best opportunity to have them addressed at a discount.
A Nogales dentist addresses the coronavirus crisis
Dr. Victor Manuel Perez of Nogales Dental Advanced has published information about the current border closures for their patients.
The Dental Advanced clinic takes the temperature of its staff and every patient who enters the clinic, with a remote, infrared thermometer. They have also implemented various protections for their staff and patients.
Dental Advanced will be open to provide quality dental care during the month-long border restrictions, with a compacted work schedule.
And to calm any fears about crossing the border back into the U.S., the clinic will give patients a medical prescription to show that they were in Nogales for medical purposes.
Read the Dental Advanced coronavirus statement.
Nogales discount pharmacy
Americans in hard-hit coronavirus outbreak areas have been ordered to stay in their homes. This can make it difficult for people who rely on medications to get regular refills.
Why not consider traveling to Nogales, Mexico to get a 90-day supply of your meds? Remember that you will need a valid prescription from a U.S.-licensed physician to be able to bring the drugs back across the border.
Read more about Nogales discount pharmacies.
Why you may want to visit the border sooner rather than later
Both Arizona and Sonora are in the early stages of coronavirus spread. But if the growth of infections here follow the path of other areas, it is conceivable that both states could be forced to initiate “stay in place” orders, as other states have done.
The border tourism area has wide-open spaces with few visitors, so it is relatively easy to practice physical distancing. And as mentioned, for now the long lines to return to Arizona have diminished.
And the peso is at its lowest value point in years, so you can find some deals.
Current information
Wherever you are, remember to take precautions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Take hand sanitizer with you and wash your hands often. Do not touch your face. And maintain a distance of at least 6′ from others to maintain adequate physical distancing.
If the situation changes for Americans crossing the Mexican border, we will report it here. In the meantime, this may be a good time to get out of the house and take a drive to Nogales.
Have you visited Nogales, Mexico recently? Let us know how it went.