FLU UPDATE

Posted by Bernie Lewis on April 30, 2009, 5:39 pm
189.162.29.198

Update on Flu Outbreak in Mexico – Enhanced Health Screening for Departing International Passengers; Mexico Closes Most Public Establishments Nationwide; U.S. Embassy Closed until Wednesday, May 6, 2009 This Warden Message alerts U.S. citizens to the latest information regarding H1N1 Influenza A. The Mexican Secretariat for Communications and Transportation has announced enhanced health screening for all international passengers departing Mexico from the following six airports: Mexico City (Benito Juarez), Guadalajara, Monterrey, Cancun, Cabo San Lucas, and Puerto Vallarta. Any passengers displaying obvious flu-like symptoms may have their temperature taken by health officials; tests for the H1N1 virus may then be administered to those with fevers. Passengers with high temperatures or testing positive for the H1N1 virus will be denied boarding. All passengers should allow ample time for any delays the new health screening may add to the check-in process at the airport. At this time, the Embassy does not know of any plans to expand this screening to other airports or to arriving passengers, but the traveling public should be alert to this possibility. Other than the health screening, neither the U.S. government nor the government of Mexico has imposed any restrictions on travel between the U.S. and Mexico. On April 30, 2009, the government of Mexico expanded nationwide the closure of federal government activities, and urged the closure nationwide of all establishments where large numbers of the public gather, including restaurants, bars, discos, night clubs, cinemas, movie theaters, theaters, gyms, and convention centers. The closures are expected to last until May 6. The U.S. Embassy in Mexico, as well as all U.S. Consulates and all U.S. Consular Agencies will follow the lead of Mexican federal government offices and close on Monday, May 4, 2009. The Embassy had already been planning to close on the Mexican holidays of Friday, May 1 and Tuesday, May 5. The U.S. Embassy will reopen on Wednesday, May 6, 2009. For any emergencies before that time, please contact the Embassy duty officer at 011-52-55-5080-2000, ext. “0”. The Embassy in Mexico City has also decided to suspend processing of nonimmigrant visa appointments scheduled for Wednesday, May 6 through Friday, May 8. These are precautionary measures only, taken to ensure the well-being of our clients and staff. Our appointment scheduler will contact applicants to reschedule their appointments. If there are emergency visa issues please email visas_mexico@state.gov for assistance. For further information about H1N1 flu, including steps you can take to stay healthy, please consult the Department of State information at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_pandemic.html, the United States Centers for Disease Control website at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu, and the World Health Organization website at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html. For additional travel safety information, please consult the State Department's website at www.travel.state.gov. U.S. citizens may also call the Office of Overseas Citizens Services in the United States for the latest travel information. The Office of Overseas Citizens Services can be reached Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time by calling 1-888-407-4747 from within the U.S. and Canada, or by calling (202) 501-4444 from other countries. Americans living or traveling in Mexico are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department's travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/ so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security within Mexico. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency. All U.S. citizens in Mexico are advised to monitor the Embassy website at: http://mexico.usembassy.gov.

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