Mexico's Interior Department warned state governments to avoid using prison terms to enforce coronavirus stay-at-home policies. 

The Monday warning came after the Queretaro state passed a bill that allowed officials to charge people who do not follow the mandated isolation with four to six years in jail. 

The department said that the law was disproportionate and unconstitutional. They also claimed it discriminated against impoverished citizens. The law sets sentences of up to five years for disobeying the orders of health authorities during a health crisis. 

The department also stated that the law could be used against legitimate demonstrations as one clause sets a minimum of two years and a maximum of five years for people who are obstructing public works. 


Winning against the Virus

Mexico's coronavirus pandemic has entered its third week of phase three. According to deputy health minister Hugo Lopez-Gatell, the country is winning against the virus. He says that the latest data shows promising results despite recording more than 1,000 new COVID-19 cases and 117 deaths on Monday. 

Lopez-Gatell also said that the country is preparing for a possible second wave that could strike in October. He claims Mexico still has an extensive response capacity to see off the peak of the pandemic. 

The Mexican government has urged 126 million residents to stay inside their homes in late March. It also ordered the suspension of classes and other non-essential business activities. The measures, Lopez-Gatell believes, will help change the course of the virus and helped reduce the spread of the infection. 


Testing Limits

Despite the promising numbers, the health minister said the true number of infections and fatalities are likely several times more than reported. 

Testing rates in the country remain low compared to other nations. According to recent data, less than 800 people per 1 million residents have been tested for COVID-19. Many mild or asymptomatic carriers go undetected. 

The report also showed the number of tests conducted each day fluctuated during the country's most critical coronavirus phase. On April 28, only 5,900 people were tested, but only 2,603 people were tested on May 2. The number dropped even lower on Sunday, with only 2,048. 

Health care workers have reported difficulties getting tested for the virus despite showing coronavirus-like symptoms. 


Reopening the economy

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador hopes to begin reopening the economy in some areas of the nation by May 17. The rest of the country will follow on June 1.

No decision has been made on when to restart the auto industry. The supply chain is crucial and is highly integrated with the rest of North America. 

The interdependence led many U.S. business owners and political figures to lobby for Mexico to synchronize te restart with the rest of the continent. 

Lopez-Gatell said the Mexican government could not guarantee that Mexico would reopen its economy before the United States does. He expects the outbreak to peak anytime from May 6 to 8, and the country's stabilization to start soon after. 


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