MEXICO CITY — Mexico City´s government had promised to return to a stay-at-home order if a specific number of occupied hospital beds designated to coronavirus patients was exceeded. The limit has been surpassed, but the authorities are not making major changes to the current flexible policies.
Mexico City's mayor, Claudia Sheinbaum, stated in July that a lockdown would be put in place again if 54% of hospital beds for COVID-19 patients were occupied. That's about 5,100 beds.
But occupancy passed that limit a few days ago, and coronavirus cases keep growing at a fast pace. Sheinbaum says citizens need to be more careful and stay at home as much as possible, while reducing some work hours for public servants.
Sheinbaum said her administration is working on a new plan, which she hopes will include a vaccination scheme that will prioritize health workers and the elder.
The mayor said the lockdown and wearing face masks are not mandatory. Polls show that Mexico City inhabitants strongly support their use.
