Mexico‘s government has declared a national public health emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ordering the suspension of nonessential activity until April 30. The one-month emergency measures will be in effect from March 30 to April 30, according to El Economista. Mexico had previously stopped non-essential government services and banned mass gatherings.
The move came as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Mexico reached 1,094, with 28 deaths.
Andrés Manuel Lopez Obrador, Mexico’s president, has been criticized for the slow official responses. Less than 24 hours after the Ministry of Health asked people to stay in their houses and avoid close contacts with other people he shook hands with a 92-year-old woman. He was seen in recent weeks shaking hands and ignoring social distancing advice put in place by his administration health officials.
Keeping shelter in their homes, Mexicans changed their shopping habits, as reported by Mercado Libre to El Economista. The ecommerce platform registered a growth in categories that don’t usually lead sales, such as sports and fitness. It’s a 100% increase compared to the same period in 2019.
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The office supplies segment saw an increase of 135% in sales against last year, thanks to purchases of chairs and desks. Games and toys registered growth of 160% from one year to the next and 20% at the end of March due mainly to the jumpers, coloring markers and castle tents.
