As we read about the opening of States in the USA, I am struck by how different things are here in our UNESCO Heritage town of San Miguel de Allende. Our mayor instituted a lockdown in early March that shut pretty much everything down. Subsequent pronouncements pushed for mandatory mask-wearing (not always observed) and even roadblock health checkpoints. On June 1st, a Phase 0 condition* was deployed with the opening of medical professionals, restaurants that pass a health certification, and shops. Entering a restaurant requires dipping the soles of your shoes in disinfectant, signing name, date, phone number, and temperature (taken with a handheld infrared thermometer). Then a squirt of alcohol gel and entry to a layout with tables spread wide apart. The staff often have disposable menus, wear gloves, and always have masks.
Grocery stores have been open throughout this period but they too have imposed safety precautions. Usually they do temperature checks, provide exclusive early shopping hours for seniors, have one-way aisles, spacing marked on the floor, and of course do a squirt. Some even provide awkward disposable gloves.
I approve of pretty much everything our town and the retailers have done with one exception. A national chain of fabric stores, Parisina, has an outlet in San Miguel. They chose to deny entry to anyone over age 55. Instead of creating separate senior-only hours they have shut out a significant portion of their customer base. AND, they are the only comprehensive fabric store in town. Despite my hat, mask and sunglasses, they wouldn't let me in. Call me super-frustrated.
* Phases 1-4 will open other types of businesses, parks, etc. as conditions warrant. Sadly, since over 60% of our local economy depended upon tourism, hotels and AirB&Bs will not be opened until Phase 4.
