MEXICO CITY – The Mexican capital, a hotbed of the pandemic, reopened its activities practically completely this Monday after placing itself at low risk of contagion for the first time, and it did so with the streets full although with little difference compared to the weeks previous.
“There are fewer people than I expected. I thought that because there was a green traffic light (low risk) there would be many more. But in previous days, even in yellow (medium risk) or orange (high) there were the same or more,” he said. Marta, a woman already vaccinated who was walking through one of the busiest streets in the capital’s historic center.
“The truth is that things have been more normal for a long time, for people who have walked on foot for a long time that (going out) is normal,” added Abraham, a 32-year-old who has not yet been vaccinated.
Last Friday it was announced that from this Monday Mexico City would have its epidemiological traffic light in green (low risk) for COVID-19, which implies the reopening of more activities and the extension of hours.
Even so, the changes in terms of commerce were not so noticeable, but only department stores and shopping centers will increase their capacity to 50% (before it was 40%).
In addition, restaurants will extend their hours until 12 at night indoors and hotels may have a capacity of 60%. Cinemas and theaters will be able to reach 50% of their capacity.
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In addition, from June 14, outdoor events can be held at 50% and from June 24, the capacity for events in closed spaces can be increased to 1,500.
Coinciding with the new green traffic light, the voluntary return to face-to-face classes in the capital also began after the educational personnel were vaccinated.
MORE OLDER ADULTS ON THE STREETS
Like Marta and Abraham, many people filled the usually busiest areas of the center, where much of the commercial activity of the city takes place.
Some – more than in previous weeks – walked among the people without a mask, although most wore it.
More older people were seen because, they said, they feel safer from being vaccinated although they continue to take precautions.
“I believe that with vaccines there is a more security point for us (the elderly). I am already going out more,” said María Luisa, a woman in her 70s who came to the center to buy tights for her granddaughter.
Dressed in her mask, María Luisa insisted that it is necessary to continue complying with sanitary measures and not lower her guard.
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In this sense, a greater normality was perceived in the busiest streets, with the stores allowing customers to enter the establishments, although only one person per family in most cases.
And the interviewees insisted, albeit with doubts, that the green traffic light is good news for the residents of the capital, but above all for the merchants.
DOUBTS ABOUT THE REOPENING
“Because of the economic situation, yes (which is a good thing that they reopen), but in reality, due to health they should not yet, although I understand the economic part, we have to get ahead,” said the decorator Víctor, who went out to buy material for your work.
For her part, Isabel, who has a children’s party business, positively appreciated that the situation is improving, but considered that it is “very slow, because people’s priorities are different”, in addition to not being very sure about the need to return to full business activity.
“No, I think that we still have to take better care of ourselves, I don’t think it is right that there is a green traffic light but hey the authorities know the percentages of contagion. (…) There are many people who are trusting themselves and say ‘off the mask’, or for having the two doses “, considered Isabel.
According to the most recent official data, Mexico accumulates 2.43 accumulated contagion cases and 228,838 deaths from COVID-19.
The capital concentrates almost 44,000 deaths and more than 660,000 confirmed cases.
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