New idea could see Mexico City bars ‘card’ patrons for proof of vaccination

It is unlikely that facemask and guards will be going anywhere, even if Sheinbaum’s plan is implemented. Photo: Courtesy

Bars in Mexico City may soon require patrons to prove that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before being let in.

The measure which was first floated by bar owners is now receiving support from Mexico City’s head of government, Claudia Sheinbaum.

“The idea is not to exclude anyone, but rather to help businesses get back on track by allowing them to serve people who have been vaccinated,” said Sheinbaum this morning during a press conference. 

It was also suggested that the admittance criteria could be extended to people able to prove they are not carrying the virus by providing recent test results. 

If the plan is eventually implemented, it is likely that it will rely on Mexico’s COVID-19 vaccination certificate, which was introduced earlier this month. 

Earlier: Tourists in Mexico go maskless to the dismay of locals

Shienbaum is not the only politician keen on the idea, as the governors of Coahuila and Aguascalientes have also suggested a similar approach.

“Requiring the certificate would be a great move as it would allow people to get back to their normal lives a bit more. With the COVID-19 certificate, it may even be possible to open sports venues to a higher capacity, to say nothing of restaurants and bars,” said Coahuila Gov. Miguel Ángel Riquelme Solís.

But critics of the idea point out that it is still possible for people who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to spread the virus and even be infected themselves. 

Both the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines offer roughly 95% protection against COVID-19 after the second dose. On the lower end of the spectrum, the Chinese Sinovac vaccine has shown an efficacy rate of about 65%.

However, most epidemiologists agree that the best COVID-19 vaccine you can get is the vaccine you can get the quickest. 

Although Mexico continues to strive towards universal COVID-19 vaccination, only 16.5% of its population is fully inoculated against the virus.

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