Mexico Closes Mayan Ruins After Tourists Refuse To Abide By Mask Mandate

Mexico has decided to close its historic Mayan Ruins after tourists have continuously violated its mask policy.

According to Yahoo! Finance, Mexico is closing up its Chichen Itza on the Yucatan Peninsula from April 1 to April 4 as a part of its response to tourists neglecting and ignoring the country’s mask mandate. The country says it wants to help curb the spread of COVID-19.

“It is regrettable to see how undisciplined things have become,” Lucio Hernández Gutiérrez, acting police chief in Quintana Roo, the Associated Press reports. He mentioned that tourists are the worst offenders, saying, “It was truly frustrating to see hundreds of people walking around without face masks.”

The Mayans built the popular archaeological site in the pre-Columbian city of Chichen Itza. More than two million people visit the spot a year. The will be the second time the site will be closed down. Mexican officials shut down visitation back in 2020 in reaction to the global pandemic.

When it was reopened the first time, visitors were warned that they must abide by the social distancing requirements, including wearing a face mask, getting a temperature check, along with capacity restrictions.