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San Carlos Tourist Sector: Coordination Could Have Lowered Impacts Of COVID-19 Measures

There were long lines and confusion this weekend in response to anti-coronavirus measures at some of Sonora’s famous beach destinations.

Over the weekend, state authorities were asking for recent negative coronavirus tests to get into San Carlos, one of Sonora’s best known beach towns. Local business owners complained of long lines and cancellations on social media, due in part to the short notice given for the requirements.

“The resources aren't here to get vaccinated or get a test that quickly, to be able to keep your hotel reservation when something pops up,” said Eric Fairfield, who lives in San Carlos and owns the local brewery Marvida.

Since the start of the pandemic, 122,000 tests have been done in Sonora, according to state data, compared to 8.5 million in Arizona. Another San Carlos business owner said that better dialogue between the tourism sector and health authorities could have prevented some of the issues.

Murphy Woodhouse was a senior field correspondent at KJZZ from 2018 to 2023.