As stated in our May 15 article, starting on June 1, 2020. Mexico will use a “traffic light” system to determine which activities may reopen in each region. The expectation was that non-essential businesses would be allowed to start operations on June 1 in various parts of the country.
During a press conference Friday morning, Mexico’s undersecretary of health showed the first map using the “traffic light” system. The map will be in effect on June 1, 2020. All the states are in red except Zacatecas. In other words, only businesses with essential activities will be permitted in all states, saved for Zacatecas.
The map will be revised weekly to open additional regions. Mexico’s federal government has declared that the states will determine which activities may reopen according to their classification in the “traffic light” system. Please see our May 15 article for a more detailed description of this system.
There is still significant confusion on which activities may be open and employers’ obligations. Officials in various states have declared that they will make their own decisions on how and when businesses may reopen. The closure has forced many companies to seek agreements with their employees on pay cuts while the shutdown continues. Also, some companies have started to lay off employees. The extension of the shutdown is likely to exacerbate this.
Businesses that continue to be affected should seek advice to explore their options, including the possibility of reopening and the preparations therefor. Of course, companies must take all reasonable measures to combat the spread of COVID-19 and strive for a safe reopening. Businesses should follow the guidelines from Mexico’s Ministry of Health, including those published on May 14 and May 15, 2020.
