Mexican state brings back mask mandate as COVID numbers rise

MEXICO CITY – A northern Mexican state reintroduced the compulsory use of face masks in closed public areas, officers stated on Monday, in a bid to scale back rising COVID-19 infections, in addition to the unfold of different respiratory ailments.

The well being minister of Nuevo Leon state, house to Mexico’s third-biggest metropolis Monterrey, highlighted the up to date pointers in a news convention, and stated that the measure will go into impact instantly.

Official figures present Nuevo Leon is among the areas with the very best concentrations of COVID-19 in Mexico, with new each day instances ticking as much as almost 120 at the beginning of final week; the very best degree since September.

Around 86% of the state’s inhabitants have obtained no less than one dose of a COVID vaccine, in response to the most recent figures, which means the COVID danger is assessed at “medium.” Locally, the benchmark for a “low risk” surroundings is a 90% vaccination charge.

Mexico’s federal authorities eliminated the advice to put on a face masks in open areas in October, although it was by no means legally required. — Reuters