Chichén Itza will be closed for the Easter holiday over concerns that tourists are not wearing face masks. After recently shutting down to avoid spring equinox crowds, now the ruins will be off-limits to the public April 1-4.
“It is regrettable to see how undisciplined things have become,” said Lucio Hernández Gutiérrez, acting Tulum police chief, in a story that made the U.S. wire services. “It was truly frustrating to see hundreds of people walking around without face masks.”
Tourists were the worst offenders, he told The Associated Press.
“It really is embarrassing that we have to get to this point of asking people when we should be conscious of the risks we face,” he said.
Chichén Itzá is Mexico’s second most-visited archaeological site and usually draws about 1.8 million visitors each year.
A tradition in Mexico City is also gone for 2021. For the second year in a row, Latin America’s most famous re-enactment of the crucifixion of Christ will be held without spectators.
The multi-day spectacle had drawn about 2 million spectators in recent years, but this time will be broadcast instead.
The performance has played out in Iztapalapa since 1843.
