Chetumal, Q.R. — The Ministry of Public Security (SSP) of Quintana Roo has reported that as of December 11, five main avenues in the city of Chetumal have been closed in an attempt to stop the spread of Coronavirus.
Head of the SSP office, Lucio Hernández Gutiérrez, pointed out that “we will start with traffic cuts on avenues with the access control filter to Chetumal,” adding “the imminent risk of contagion of COVID-19 in Chetumal forces us to apply preventive measures to reduce the mobility of people for their own protection, so we ask for your kind understanding.”
This decision to restrict mobility stems from the increased rate of infection in the state capital city. Coronavirus sanitary protocols will be reinforced at all points of entry into the municipality. Those who fail to comply with the sanitary security conditions will be returned to their municipality of origin.
The news of the mobility restrictions came after state governor Carlos Joaquin warned of the possible return to an orange epidemiological light. A rollback to orange would see a severe reduction in open businesses as well as the occupancy rates for those allowed to remain open.
Instead, a reduction of one business hour will be applied to restaurants, bars and other services in the southern city. Mobility will be reduced and rapid testing will be applied.
Joaquin pointed out that for nine weeks, the risk of contagion for the southern region remained below .1, but after a relaxation, it rose to 1.5 and closed at 1.3.
In a public address, Joaquin explained that these types of protocols are being applied in nine states whose governors are members of the association of Gobernadores de Acción Nacional (GOAN).
For the northern zone, the epidemiological light also remains yellow with a contagion risk of 1.02, a risk, Joaquin notes, is also on an upward trend. He reminds people that mass gatherings including pilgrimages, posadas and parties are not allowed, stressing that the cold weather makes the Coronavirus more dangerous.
“At this time, we cannot allow a case to occur that would lead us to chaos during the last days of December and the beginning of January” he said warning that we are closer to orange than green, the result of sanitary relaxations that has caused a rebound in the risk of infections.
