The Mexican government approved on Tuesday the gradual resumption of activities in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The General Health Council of Mexico, at its third meeting of the permanent session, approved 4 agreements for the progressive lifting of containment measures against COVID-19, with which activities will be resumed progressively.

1.- The construction, mining and manufacturing of transportation equipment are included in the list of essential activities.

2.- Restrictions are released for school and work activities in non-contagious municipalities that have neighborhoods with also contagious-free municipalities.

3.- All companies and establishments will apply sanitary measures on a mandatory basis in the workplace, which will be issued by the Ministry of Health, the IMSS and the Ministry of Labor.

4.- As of June 1, 2020, the Ministry of Health will define a weekly traffic light for each federal entity. Each color will allow certain economic, educational and social activities with specific intensity levels.

Resumption of activities and virus

Coronaviruses are a large family of zoonotic viruses (animal-human communicable viruses) that can cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more serious illnesses, such as Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

The most common symptoms among confirmed COVID-19 patients include dry cough, shortness of breath, and fever.

The data suggests that older adults and those with pre-existing medical conditions (such as high blood pressure, heart and lung disease, cancer, and diabetes) are more likely to become seriously ill or die from COVID-19.