• EMERGENCY: As the coronavirus outbreak grows, Mexico officially declared Monday a national Health Emergency due to a Force Majeure event suspending non-essential activities until April 30th. This includes an urgent call to citizens to remain home and to companies to pay full salaries.
• NUMBERS: As of late Monday, the Mexico’s Ministry of Health had officially reported 1,094 confirmed coronavirus cases and a total of 28 deaths. Mexico City continues to be the state with the most confirmed cases: 205. Classes are also suspended throughout the country until April 30th.
• WARNING: “This declaration is a Health Emergency due to a Force Majeure (event)…a company that tries to (pay workers less) will face the labor law procedure that will lose, because the law is very clear”, said Mexican Foreign Minister, Marcelo Ebrard who will coordinate mitigation efforts.
• DIFFERENCE: According to Mexico’s Labor Law, companies could opt to furlough workers paying them workers only a minimum wage if Government declared a national Health Contingency. The Mexican government made clear that is not what Monday’s evening declaration entails.
