Photo: Gobierno de Michoacán

By THE PULSE NEWS MEXICO STAFF

Monarch butterfly sanctuaries in the central Mexican state of Michoacán will reopen to the public as of Saturday, Nov. 28, under strict sanitary protocols to prevent the spread of covid-19 infections, state authorities announced this week.

The decision to reopen the sanctuaries — a major tourist draw during the winter months — was made after a virtual meeting of Michoacán health, tourism and civil protection authorities with representatives of the municipalities of Ocampo, Angangueo, El Rosario, Cerro Prieto and Senguio, where the sanctuaries are located.

Also involved in the decision were representatives of Mexico’s National Commission of Protected Nature Areas.

The sanctuaries which will be open to the public are El Rosario, Sierra Chincua and Senguio.

Due to the still-expanding covid-19 pandemic, only small groups of visitors will be allowed at a time, and social-distancing and mask-wearing practices will be enforced.

Each year, millions of monarch butterflies make their way to Mexico in an arduous migration from Canada.

…Nov. 19, 2020