Thursday, December 12, 2024

Quintana Roo orders mobility restrictions, use of face masks

As phase three of the coronavirus pandemic looms on Mexico’s horizon, Quintana Roo continues to tighten public health measures. 

The governor of the state has now made the wearing of face masks mandatory in public and limited vehicle occupancy to just one person when residents need to go out for supplies. 

The new restrictions were added to a list of coronavirus measures that already included road closures, health checkpoints, drone surveillance, limited hours for the sale of alcohol, and others designed to limit the spread of the pandemic. 

“It is necessary to apply more severe measures to save lives. We must guarantee the constitutional right to health for the people of Quintana Roo, there can be no doubts or hesitation, and we will not allow political haggling. Saving lives requires everyone’s absolute complete cooperation,” Governor Carlos Joaquín González announced Monday. 

State police will be enforcing the measures. 

Also, supermarkets and drug stores must implement social distancing policies while bars, casinos, beaches and non-essential businesses must remain closed. 

Alcohol sales have been further restricted and are now limited to 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through the end of April.

Finance Minister Yohanet Torres Muñoz reminded citizens that the state has put in place certain measures to provide economic relief, including discounts on car registration fees and the issuance or renewal of driver’s licenses. In addition, some state taxes have been deferred.

Governor Joaquín called for unity during admittedly difficult times. “Let’s understand that we all need each other right now. These are moments of solidarity to preserve life. We must make sacrifices that we did not expect, but we need to face decisively this unfortunate pandemic which took humanity by surprise,” he said in an address to residents. “Only unity, solidarity and personal and collective discipline will allow us to save lives, protect our families and, in due course, recover our economic growth.”

Quintana Roo, with an estimated population of 1.7 million, currently has 239 confirmed cases of coronavirus and has recorded 22 deaths.

Source: Reforma (sp), El Economista (sp)

Have something to say? Paid Subscribers get all access to make & read comments.

Over 11 million pilgrims flock to Mexico City Basilica to celebrate the Virgin of Guadalupe

0
The capital's Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe drew millions of the faithful to celebrate the feast day of la Guadalupana.
President Claudia Sheinbaum, center, poses with smiling government officials and Indigenous community representatives as they hold up two official presidential decrees for the camera.

Sheinbaum creates commission dedicated to ‘justice plans’ for Mexico’s Indigenous peoples

2
Sheinbaum also signed a decree Wednesday requiring that recent constitutional reforms affecting Indigenous peoples be officially published in Mexico's 68 Indigenous languages.
Ronald D. Johnson standing in front of a microphone at a Department of State event. On the lapel of his suit is a pin bearing the flags of the U.S. and El Salvador

Donald Trump nominates Ronald D. Johnson as US ambassador to Mexico

1
A military and CIA veteran, Johnson is credited with large decreases in illegal migration to the U.S. from El Salvador when he was Trump's ambassador there.