A new pandemic tool in Mexico shows that heavy restrictions will remain in place as the country begins to reopen Monday.
The COVID-19 semaforo, or street light, has four levels: green, yellow, orange and red, the color indicating the most serious risk for coronavirus spread. That’s also the color of Sonora, Arizona’s neighbor to the south, and every other state in the country but Zacatecas.
“In the red area, only essential activities are open,” said Hugo López-Gatell, prevention and health promotion subsecretary with Mexico’s health ministry. The scale is based on several factors, including case growth and hospital capacity, and will be updated weekly.
The definition of essential businesses was recently expanded to include the mining, construction and transportation manufacturing sectors. Many of those businesses in Sonora are preparing for a gradual reopening.
