CANCUN — The Mexican Caribbean has officially launched its Clean & Safe Check Certification in anticipation of the reopening of the tourism industry on June 8, says Carlos Joaquin Gonzalez, Governor of Quintana Roo.

The certification program, launched on May 18, was created by the Secretary of Tourism and state health officials to maintain sanitary measures for the prevention and containment of COVID-19 as well as to generate confidence among guests, partners and the community.

The program is available to travel agencies, food & beverage establishments, car rental companies, water and activity parks, golf courses, hotels and resorts, spas, transportation companies, tour operators, among other tourism and hospitality companies.

Tourism providers who wish to earn the complimentary certificate must apply online at the Secretary of Tourism’s website and declare compliance criteria related to the implementation of health security measures.

In the first four days after its launch, over 2,700 companies have applied for the certificate, said Dario Flota Ocampo, director of Quintana Roo Tourism Board, “illustrating the dedication our destinations have to keeping the the Mexican Caribbean safe and welcoming.”

The applications will be evaluated by a technical committee, which will then conduct random inspections of the establishments to ensure each certificate holder is meeting criteria. Once it is clear companies have met the criteria, they will be accredited the certificate in digital format and online via the official websites of the Secretary of Tourism and Quintana Roo Tourism Board. The certificate will be valid through Dec. 31, 2020.

The criteria will be evaluated by both general spaces and service areas according to each company. Some of the spaces to be evaluated include reception, management, service and operation areas, equipment, training & awareness, among others.

The program offers many benefits to both certificate holders and the state of Quintana Roo, including: the guaranteed implementation of good practices in the field of health safety; correct definitions of hygiene processes and procedures; increased customer trust and loyalty, health discipline in staff; and assured job security.

Multiple hotels and tour providers also have internal safety programs, including AMResorts, Palladium Hotel Group and Palace Resorts’ ‘Purely Palace’ program.

In addition, ASUR airports are following the actions set forth by the Communications and Transportation Ministry, Federal agency for Civil Aviation, international health authorities and state government and municipal authorities. Specific actions include sanitation and deep cleaning of all areas, protective screens on counters, permanent monitory of social-distance measures and more.

For additional information, visit  https://qroo.gob.mx/cppsit.