April 29 - Influenza Outbreak Update
Update on Flu Outbreak in Mexico – Mexico City Closes Most Public Establishments; State Department updates Travel Alert for Mexico
U.S. citizens traveling or residing in Mexico City should be aware that on Tuesday, April 28, 2009, the Mayor of Mexico City ordered the closure of all establishments where large numbers of the public gather until May 6, including restaurants, bars, discos, night clubs, cinemas, movie theaters, theaters, gyms, and convention centers. The government of the state of Chihuahua has announced all large public events are suspended through May 6th. In addition the state government announced that all bars, discos, nightclubs and events halls must suspend activities throughout the state through May 6. Restaurants in the state may remain open until 12 midnight.
The State Department believes it is important for all citizens to maintain readiness for all possibilities in case of an emergency. Because of potential disruptions in shopping patterns, the U.S. Embassy is advising its employees to consider stockpiling two-weeks of emergency supplies such as food, water, infant formula and medicines, as well as to verify the availability of cash or credit cards. U.S. citizens traveling or resident in Mexico should consider doing the same.
On April 28, 2009, the U.S. Department of State revised the April 27 Travel Alert for Mexico. The revised Travel Alert can be found at http://travel.state.gov.
All immigrant visa appointments are cancelled at the U.S. Consulate General in Ciudad Juarez beginning Thursday, April 30th through Friday, May 8th. The immigrant visa panel physicians will also be closed during this timeframe. Please refer to the Consulate General website at http://ciudadjuarez.usconsulate.gov for the most current information on consular operations.
All U.S. citizens in Mexico are advised to monitor the Embassy website at: http://mexico.usembassy.gov or the Consulate General website: http://ciudadjuarez.usconsulate.gov for additional warden notices and other information. Other important websites providing the latest information are the State Department’s website at www.travel.state.gov, the CDC website at www.cdc.gov, or the website of the World Health Organization at www.who.int. The U.S.-based call center for U.S. citizens can be reached from 8:00 am – 8:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time, M-F, at 1-888-407-4747, or if calling from outside the U.S., at (202)-501-4444.
American Citizens Services
U.S. Consulate General
Paseo de la Victoria 3650
32543 Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua CP 32543
Tel: (011) (52) 656-227-3000
Hours: 8:00a.m. to 4:45p.m.
For after-hours emergencies only, call 044-656-327-7877 for the duty officer.
e-mail: CDJAmericancitizens@state.gov;
website: http://ciudadjuarez.usconsulate.gov/