Baja California Sur’s State Health and Safety Committee voted unanimously to enforce mandatory mask use in all medical facilities across the state, citing ongoing risks from COVID-19, influenza, and a current measles outbreak. The BCS mandate on masks in all medical facilities applies to hospitals, clinics, and public health centers statewide.
Health Secretary Cites Measles Outbreak as Key Factor
State Health Secretary Ana Luisa Guluarte Castro said medical spaces concentrate patients with a wide range of conditions, making them high-risk zones for airborne transmission. She noted that the policy, originally strengthened during the COVID-19 pandemic, now targets measles as a priority public health threat in the state.
Mexico has reported a resurgence of measles cases in 2025 after years of near-elimination. BCS health authorities confirmed active circulation of the virus within the state, prompting the committee to reinforce the mask rule rather than let it lapse.
Vaccination Campaign Covers Ages 6 Months to 49 Years
Beyond the mask requirement, state health officials are running a parallel vaccination campaign. The effort covers residents between 6 months and 49 years old, targeting both measles and seasonal respiratory illnesses. Health centers in La Paz, Los Cabos, and other municipalities are administering doses.
Authorities also called for strict hand hygiene protocols and improved ventilation in all medical buildings. These measures align with federal guidance from Mexico’s national health ministry, which has urged states to tighten infection controls in clinical settings during the measles resurgence.
What to Expect at Hospitals and Clinics in BCS
The rule covers every public and private medical facility in the state. Anyone entering a hospital, clinic, or health center in BCS should bring a face mask or expect to be provided one at the door. The requirement applies to patients, visitors, and staff alike.
La Paz, the state capital, is home to several facilities that serve large numbers of foreign residents, including the IMSS (Mexico’s social security health system) hospital on Calle 5 de Febrero and private hospitals such as Fidepaz. Los Cabos facilities, which see heavy tourist traffic at clinics along the San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas corridors, fall under the same mandate.
The committee did not set an end date for the mask requirement, indicating it will remain in effect as long as measles and respiratory virus transmission levels warrant it, according to the Baja California Sur state government.