Cozumel COVID-19 updates

[ChuckP]

Opinions, please, on diving equipment and covid. I am a vacation diver who does most of my diving in Cozumel. I have always rented equipment due to convenience. Without carrying dive equipment (except mask, fins and wetsuit) I need not check a bag. I am now considering purchasing dive equipment to avoid using a rental equipment, especially a regulator and mouthpiece that is used by many. Thoughts?

I’m a little bit more weird about it cause you can’t really get inside the regulator and clean it but a regulator set is a fair amount of money, the good ones are.

Can a sick diver use a regulator at noon, it gets cleaned and rinsed then given to another diver the next day - can you still get sick from it?? I have seen so much back and forth on it that who knows what’s right - I would ask a doctor you trust.

Valet shops seem to keep your gear together, you don’t get a new regulator every day - I would think bigger shops are doing that too but I’d ask. I would probably be willing to take that one chance but if you’re giving me a different regulator set every day, that’s to much chance

 

[scorpiofish]

Thank you Don.

Hmmm. It wouldn't let me complete the immigration form because passport expires within 180 days. Oh well.

Here is the Immigration form that can be completed up to 30 days prior to planned arrival. I've on planes that did not have any to distribute so it's a good idea: Instituto Nacional de Migración - Forma Migratoria Múltiple

Here's the one for Customs but it can only be done three days prior: Datos de identificación

And here is the health form site that was setting off my virus program as well as blocked by google, but it seems clean now: http://afac.hostingerapp.com/?__cf_...C1qMKg8vpr7kYTMm4FYMo3Qcujx18j1RwdI09A7sKp1Tw

 

[ChuckP]

Thank you Don.

Hmmm. It wouldn't let me complete the immigration form because passport expires within 180 days. Oh well.

Probably because your tourist visa is for 180 days - will Mexico allow you into the country with your passport expiring in less than six months? We certainly don't want you stuck here with the government having to support you LOL

 

[scubaNYC16]

I’m a little bit more weird about it cause you can’t really get inside the regulator and clean it but a regulator set is a fair amount of money, the good ones are.

Can a sick diver use a regulator at noon, it gets cleaned and rinsed then given to another diver the next day - can you still get sick from it?? I have seen so much back and forth on it that who knows what’s right - I would ask a doctor you trust.

Valet shops seem to keep your gear together, you don’t get a new regulator every day - I would think bigger shops are doing that too but I’d ask. I would probably be willing to take that one chance but if you’re giving me a different regulator set every day, that’s to much chance

Aldora makes you keep your regs with you including rentals for the duration of your stay. Not sure if other shops do this.

 

[ReefHound]

Thank you Don.

Hmmm. It wouldn't let me complete the immigration form because passport expires within 180 days. Oh well.

You may have bigger problems than filling out an online form.

 

[ReefHound]

Probably because your tourist visa is for 180 days - will Mexico allow you into the country with your passport expiring in less than six months? We certainly don't want you stuck here with the government having to support you LOL

I think it's "up to" 180 days and immigration can make it shorter. At least, that's from the reports on some ex-pat forums who were staying six months then hopping across the Belize border to renew then upon re-entry they were given much less.

 

[DandyDon]

Thank you Don.

Hmmm. It wouldn't let me complete the immigration form because passport expires within 180 days. Oh well.

Uh, that may be a problem

Probably because your tourist visa is for 180 days - will Mexico allow you into the country with your passport expiring in less than six months? We certainly don't want you stuck here with the government having to support you LOL

I thought that they wouldn’t. Mine expires in July and I was thinking I’d need to renew soon if I want to try for a winter visit. I guess January would be ok but the way plans get wrecked these days, I might want more leeway.

Aldora makes you keep your regs with you including rentals for the duration of your stay. Not sure if other shops do this.

Isn’t that a requirement for all Ops now?

 

[flyboy08]

I read there are no "expedited" passport issuance these days and the normal process can take 6 month, so I would stress all passport holders to review their X date ASAP...

 

[ReefHound]

A bit of google seems to say Mexico reommends not requires 6 months validity. An immigration officer can allow less but the airlines might not. you have two hurdles to clear starting with the airline because if you don't get past them you don't even get to a Mexican immigration counter.

 

[Angelo Farina]

Opinions, please, on diving equipment and covid. I am a vacation diver who does most of my diving in Cozumel. I have always rented equipment due to convenience. Without carrying dive equipment (except mask, fins and wetsuit) I need not check a bag. I am now considering purchasing dive equipment to avoid using a rental equipment, especially a regulator and mouthpiece that is used by many. Thoughts?

I can use rented equipment for almost everything, except my trusted, old regulators (Scubapro MK5+109).
I could not feel OK with those modern plastic things, serviced by unknown technicians and probably badly maintained...
I had never allowed anyone to put their hands on my regs, and they will follow me everywhere I plan to dive.
Of course this is even more true nowadays, with all the concerns about risks of infection, etc.
So I warmly suggest that you buy your own regulators.