• PHASE: Mexico’s health authorities said Tuesday that the country has officially entered its most severe phase of the coronavirus epidemic, where confirmed cases will rise rapidly. Currently, the country is under an emergency decree suspending all non-essential activities.
• NUMBERS: As of late Monday, Mexico has officially reported 8,772 coronavirus cases and 712 deaths. Mexico City accounts for a 26% share of the total confirmed cases. The neighboring state, State of Mexico, is number two in total confirmed cases, with a 14% share.
• DISTANCING: “We are in the phase of rapid ascent where a large number of cases of contagion, of hospitalizations will accumulate but we must continue to maintain social distancing in order to have the minimum possible”, said Hugo López Gatell, Mexico’s coronavirus czar.
• FINES: The Mexican federal government has discarded any fines for individuals who break the national lockdown. Given many people are still in the streets, states like Jalisco and Michoacán announced they will fine lockdown rule-breakers, and in the case of Jalisco even threaten with arrests.
