Mexico's famous Floating gardens reopen after virus shutdown

The famous "Floating gardens” of Xochimilco reopened to visitors on Friday after a five-month lockdown for the coronavirus pandemic.

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The canals that run through man-made islands created by the Aztecs on what is now the south side of Mexico City provide a popular day trip for tourists, with flat-bottom boats plying the water and mariachis playing music.

A man disinfects a "trajinera" at the Cuemanco canal pier in Xochimilco. AFP

Seeking to reassure people, the borough government cleaned and disinfected the flower-decked boats and docks, and enforced special hygiene rules, but there were few tourists or revelers for the reopening. That contrasts with the crowds in a good year, like 2015, when about 2 million people visited the Floating gardens.

The tourism industry in Mexico accounts for 8.7% of the country's gross domestic product, and has been left gasping by the pandemic as both domestic and foreign tourists stay home. Mexico City, which has nearly 90,000 confirmed coronavirus cases and about 10,000 deaths, is still on the second-highest form of alert.

People walk at the Cuemanco canal pier in Xochimilco. AFP

Tourism has long been particularly important for Xochimilco, where borough officials have long struggled to defend the islands, known as "chinampas," from encroaching development. People build houses on the unstable islands, which were created by the Aztecs by laying down woven reed mats, covering them with dirt and planting trees or other plants to root the Floating islands to the bottom of the shallow lake.

The borough government sent squads of workers in protective suits through the boats, docks and surrounding markets early Friday to spray disinfectant.

Aerial view of "trajineras" at the Cuemanco canal pier in Xochimilco. AFP

Boat personnel are required to wear face masks and face shields, and to limit crowd size there is a ban on the traditional practice of tying up two boats so passengers can party in larger groups. The boats can usually hold about 20 passengers in a pinch, but are now limited to 12 passengers. The tradition is to order food from vendors in passing boats, eat, drink and listen to mariachi music.

The boats will be allowed to operate only between 9 a.m and 5 p.m. In the market, only every other artisan stall can be open on a given day.

With so many people locked up at home for months, there are hopes that many city residents will want to go to Xochimilco and soak up the atmosphere.

Associated Press