Mexico City to Suspend Nonessential Activity on Covid Spike
Mexico City to Shut Down Nonessential Activity on Covid Spike
(Bloomberg) -- Mexico City will shut down all nonessential activity starting on Saturday through Jan. 10 as Covid-19 cases soar in the nation’s capital.
The shutdown extends to the neighboring State of Mexico, the nation’s most populous state, given that both entities widely share economic activities and major transportation routes.
The decision comes after the capital broke records for hospital beds occupied by Covid patients every day this week, driving the numbers above those last spring. The local government had resisted returning to red and had instead cut opening times for shops and restricted alcohol sales.
“Even with all the measures taken, cases, hospitalizations and deaths have continued increasing,” said mayor Claudia Sheinbaum in a press conference Friday to announce the measures, flanked by Mexico State governor Alfredo del Mazo and Deputy Health Minister Hugo Lopez Gatell. “This is what worries us.”
Hospital capacity is at about 75%, although the city has been working to add more beds, Sheinbaum said.
Details of what constitutes essential activities will be published in the official gazettes, del Mazo said.
“We know this decision will affect many families, but we have to prioritize health and save lives,” he said.
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