Mexico prepares to reopen businesses

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador announced Wednesday his plan for the country's "return to the new normality," after 51 days of lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.

According to Economy Secretary Graciela Marquez the reopening will be gradual and a new four-color coding system will be in place by June 1 to tell people and businesses what activities will be allowed.

Marquez also announced that by May 18, industries such as construction, mining, and car and truck manufacturing will be allowed to resume.

Mexico has been under pressure from US officials to reopen auto plants because without them, integrated supply chains would make it hard for plants in the U.S. and Canada to reopen.

Undersecretary of Health Hugo Lopez-Gatell pointed out the process must be "organized, cautious and well-cared for at all times" to prevent a possible reemergence of the virus.

According to the new color system, areas in red will permit only essential tasks to be carried out; in the orange ones, the number of non-essential activities gradually increases, and in the yellow ones, public spaces can already be accessed in closed places.

In the green areas all activities can be carried out, but with sanitary control measures to prevent a new outbreak of the virus.

Governor of Mexico state Alfredo del Mazo confirmed the Valley of Mexico was still in the red light stage.

Mexico currently confirmed 38,324 coronavirus cases and almost 4,000 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.