Mexico Report: Mexico updates port-clearance rules under COVID-19

ENSENADA一As the COVID-19 landscape changes, so too do Mexico’s port-clearance rules for boaters arriving from the United States. As the world enters 2022 still in pandemic mode, Mexico’s rules and procedures have been updated and streamlined. “New Covid inspection protocols called Sanidad Internacional will be in effect throughout Mexico for the foreseeable future,” said Fito Espinosa, dockmaster of Marina Coral in the port of Ensenada, where boaters must officially clear into Mexico. Unlike pre-Covid days, boaters arriving from the U.S. should fly the yellow Q-flag (Quarantine) on their port side, opposite the Mexican courtesy flag. Also, everyone must stay aboard their vessels in the marinas until each person has passed a brief physical inspection that is administered by a team of Health Department medical doctors. These special doctors are presently stationed at Marina Coral, but they inspect private boaters and commercial ships arriving in all marinas. The order of the mandatory COVID-19 inspection is first come, first served, so Espinosa strongly recommends boaters arrive in their reserved slips by 8 a.m. when the marina offices open and they call for the inspectors to come to your boat. Morning arrival often means U.S. boaters will be underway throughout the night before reaching Ensenada. However, the inspection and...