Another Casualty is Investigated

Besides Tuesday’s confirmed death, another deceased patient was reported on Thursday, Epidemiology director José Luis Alomía said. The death of a 75 year-old man, who was recently in the US and had other health conditions, is still waiting for the COVID-19 testing results.

As of Thursday, March 19

46 new cases

164 confirmed cases nationwide

448 under investigation

1 death

Impact on markets (19.00 hrs)

MX$24.08       (0. 78%)

BMV IPC         35,143.63        (-1.10%)

Mexican mix   US$17.70        (-2.52%)

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CCE proposals

The Business Coordinating Council (CCE) proposed a series of immediate actions to the federal government to stop the sharp investment plunge and economic slowdown. Aiming to support SMEs and preserving employment for 21 million Mexicans, the proposals include: ensuring cash flow into the domestic market, stimulating private consumption, facilitating and stimulating private investment, increasing public sector consumption and investment and sending positive signals to the international markets. In a statement, the CCE said the goal is to collaborate with the government to protect the health, safety and economic well-being of all citizens.

General Motors stop operations

Starting March 20, General Motors will suspend operations at the San Luis Potosi assembly plant. Employees are expected to return to work on Monday April 13, the company said in a statement. Yesterday, General Motors announced it would start a systematic suspension of manufacturing operations in North America, to carry out a deep cleaning program of its facilities. “We have taken extreme hygiene measures in our facilities to avoid risks of contagion. Fortunately to this day there is no record of any employee infected with COVID-19,” the GM Mexican unit said.

Governors coordination

Governors Jaime Rodríguez from Nuevo León, Francisco García Cabeza de Vaca from Tamaulipas and Miguel Riquelme from Coahuila announced an agreement to establish a “sanitary fence” to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in these US border states. Governors reported that the goal is to standardize actions and coordinate a working agenda with the federal government. Part of the agreement includes making joint requests to the Federal Government to access resources that are part of Mexico’s Catastrophy Fund. Twenty-one border crossings and seven airports are located in these three states.

Program by the Fed

To support dollar lending in global markets under stress, the Federal Reserve (Fed) set up a program to exchange dollars for foreign currency with nine central banks, including Mexico. Currency swaps capped at US$60 billion are available for the central banks of Australia, Brazil, Mexico, Singapore, Korea and Sweden. Exchange lines capped at US$30 billion have been made available to the central banks of Denmark, Norway and New Zealand. This is the latest effort by the Fed to smooth financial markets as investors, banks and companies are trying to adapt to the sharp economic slowdown.  In a statement, Banxico said this program will reduce tensions in the global financial markets.

Baseball Series canceled

Major League Baseball (MLB) reported that due to the delay in the start of the season in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mexico 2020 Series is canceled. The games between the San Diego Padres and the Arizona Diamondbacks were scheduled to be played on April 18 and 19 at the Alfredo Harp Helú Stadium in Mexico City. “Following the recommendation of the Mexican health authorities, the series will not take place as scheduled”, MLB said. The ticket refund process will start in the following days.

Mexico City measures for employees

Mexico City government announced new preventive measures for public servants working for the local administration. Through the city’s Official Gazette Mexico City Government Head Claudia Sheinbaum announced that all local officials with 68 years or more, pregnant women, people with disabilities and people with hypertension, diabetes or chronic diseases should take a leave of absence until further notice.

More museums are closing

Given the extending quarantine in Mexico, from today and until further notice the Jumex Museum will suspend all its activities. “We will restart activities when the environment is safe,” the museum reported. Museo Dolores Olmedo will also close starting next Friday. Those two museums join Museo del Objeto, Museo Soumaya and Marco de Monterrey among other cultural venues decided to close doors. Although they have canceled special programs and exhibitions, other institutional museums from INAH, INBA and UNAM will keep accepting regular visitors.

Filters in National Palace

Federal government personnel implemented preventive measures in National Palace to prevent the spread of COVD-19. Visitors must apply antibacterial gel when entering the compound where President López Obrador lives and hosts most of his daily activities.