Masks No Longer Mandatory in Jalisco Schools Starting March 9 Due to High Vaccination Rates
The Mexican state of Jalisco has lifted its mandatory mask requirement in schools, effective . The measure was initially implemented last month as a response to a measles outbreak impacting the region, a key host city for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The decision to relax the mandate comes after a month of implementation and follows what state health officials describe as significant progress in vaccination coverage within the school community. While the mandatory requirement is being lifted, mask-wearing is still recommended for individuals who have not completed their measles vaccination schedule.
“Starting , the mandatory use of masks for basic education communities, a measure we dictated 30 days ago for the municipalities of San Pedro Tlaquepaque, Tonalá, Guadalajara, Zapopan, El Salto, Tlajomulco de Zúñiga and Ixtlahuacán de los Membrillos, ceases to be mandatory,” stated Héctor Raúl Pérez Gómez, head of the Jalisco State Health Secretariat (SSJ).
Pérez Gómez added that the continued recommendation for those not fully vaccinated is intended to provide an additional layer of protection. The initial mandate aimed to protect students, teachers, and school staff while vaccination efforts were underway.
Through , Mexico had confirmed 2,143 measles cases nationwide, with nearly 6,000 suspected cases. Jalisco accounted for over half of the confirmed cases, with 1,163 confirmed and 2,092 suspected. However, cases have now been identified in all 32 Mexican states.
The outbreak began in 2025 in the northern state of Chihuahua, linked to an unvaccinated child who had visited relatives in Texas, where an outbreak was occurring. The virus initially spread within Mennonite communities, which have lower vaccination rates, and subsequently expanded across Mexico.
The Jalisco Health Secretariat reports that over one million doses of the measles vaccine have been administered within the state during the past month. To further facilitate vaccination, a mass vaccination module will be held at the Benito Juárez Auditorium on , , , and , from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, without requiring an appointment. This aims to provide convenient access to the vaccine outside of school hours.
Health officials are urging parents and guardians to ensure their children are fully vaccinated against measles, emphasizing that vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent this potentially life-threatening disease. “There was a very good response from the population, and as such, the Jalisco Health System managed to administer more than one million doses of the biological during this month,” Pérez Gómez stated.
While vaccination rates have increased, some groups, particularly within the school-aged population, remain under-vaccinated. Efforts are ongoing to reach these individuals through fixed and mobile vaccination modules, as well as through existing healthcare facilities. From 2025 to , a total of 2,630,000 doses of the measles vaccine have been administered across all 125 municipalities in Jalisco, with over two million doses given this year alone.
The Jalisco Health Secretariat continues to monitor the epidemiological situation and evaluate the effectiveness of the vaccination campaign. Health screening at schools will continue, and the state remains prepared to adjust its public health measures as needed.
The lifting of the mask mandate reflects confidence in the progress made through vaccination efforts, but health officials emphasize the importance of continued vigilance and vaccination to protect the community from the ongoing measles outbreak.