As of Wednesday, residents and visitors in Puerto Peñasco, or Rocky Point, could return to enjoying the city’s boardwalk and dozens of newly reopened shops, restaurants and street vendors nearby.
But there will still be some restrictions, including social distancing, avoiding groups of 10 or more people and wearing face coverings.
"It’s another small step in the reopening of the economy here in Peñasco," said Conventions and Visitors Bureau President Héctor Vázquez.
He said Rocky Point is taking a slow approach to prevent coronavirus outbreaks while bringing the city back to life. While health is the top priority, he added, the city has to find ways to reopen because it has been "abandoned" by the federal government, which hasn't provided financial relief for individuals or businesses affected by the pandemic.
Rocky Point started a phased reactivation plan in late March, and last week started welcoming tourists backto the city as part of phase 3 of the plan.
Vazquez said there were about 4,000 visitors over the weekend, meaning hotels and resorts were only about 20% full — far below the 80% they’re used to this time of year. But reservations in coming weeks show those numbers rising, and starting July 1, Rocky Point is moving on to phase 4 of its reactivation plan, inviting residents who are still outside the city to come back. Two weeks later, private residents will also be allowed to have visitors in their homes, if all goes according to plan, he said.
There have been 14 confirmed coronavirus cases and one death in Rocky Point. Only one of those cases is active.
