Friday, January 9, 2026

‘Death’ stalks tourists in Quintana Roo, invites them to stay at home

A man dressed as the mythological figure of Death has been patrolling the beaches of Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, urging people follow coronavirus rules and “stay at home.”

Covered from head to toe in a skeleton suit and walking with a large pole made to look like Death’s traditional scythe, the unidentified man has been surprising sunbathers on the beach and at the town’s famous marina boardwalk with his admonitions to take more precautions to avoid spreading the disease.

At times, he sits on a lifeguard chair like a specter surveying the beach. At other times, he advises people on the beach illegally to wear masks, maintain a safe distance, and take other recommended measures, according to local reports.

Photos taken by observers of the costumed do-gooder have been heavily circulated on social media, often with exhortations to take Covid-19 rules seriously.

However, the vigilante’s in-person encounters have not always been so positive, according to some locals. While some thank him for his concern, others ignore or insult him, they said.

A new lifeguard watches over the beach.
A new lifeguard watches over the beach.

The state has recorded 7,971 cases of the coronavirus, according to the federal Ministry of Health. Even though the state has reopened to tourism, it remains at the orange level on the risk level stoplight map, which has kept beaches closed. On Sunday, the state reported 147 new cases of the disease and 18 new deaths.

In June, Puerto Morelos Mayor Laura Fernández Piña had large banners erected at the entrances to beaches informing the public that beaches were closed and that they entered them at their own risk.

Source: Infobae (sp)

Have something to say? Paid Subscribers get all access to make & read comments.
cell phone user

Starting Friday, cell users in Mexico must link their phones to an official ID

10
Cell users have until June 30 to carry out the registration with their cell phone companies or risk having their service cut off.
Forensic technicians in white cover-alls stand in front of a stretcher and a white van showing the word "Forense"

Mexico’s homicide rate dropped 30% in 2025, preliminary data shows

4
New data shows that homicides fell in 26 of the country's 32 states, with just six states seeing an increase in killings.
Downtown Mexico City

Citi survey: Banks predict 1.3% GDP growth, peso weakening to 19:1 in 2026

0
Growth forecasts for 2026 from 35 banks surveyed by Citi range from 0.6% to 1.8%, though estimates for 2027 range from 1% to 2.8% — a vote of confidence in Mexico's economy post-USMCA review.
BETA Version - Powered by Perplexity