Signaling a control in the spread of swine flu in Mexico, authorities in the country's capital decided to ease restrictions in the functioning of certain public places.
Restaurants, churches, and museums in Mexico City are allowed to re-open 'gradually' from Wednesday, after a two-week ban to prevent the contamination.
City mayor Marcelo Ebrard said that the red alert had been toned down to orange. Restaurants, cafes, administrative offices and court buildings can start normal functioning from Wednesday, if certain health requirements are met in those venues.
Most restaurants, cinemas and bars have been closed and public events canceled in the capital Mexico City since April 23. The government announced nationwide closure of schools and cancellation of Sunday masses.
The ban on cinema theaters, nightclubs and stadiums will continue since the risks related to the new strain of influenza virus persisted.
Ebrard called upon the people to remain alert, as the virus is still present.
A five-day nationwide shutdown of public places in an effort to contain the spread of the flu strain came into force Friday. Only essential government services will function during the safety period.
Churches, museums and convention centers may reopen from Thursday, with restrictions like avoiding crowds.
A further relaxation in restrictions is signaled when the alert decreases to yellow, so that the nightclubs, cinemas, theaters, stadiums and others can reopen.
Meanwhile, Mexican authorities said while the rate of infection is falling, it might rise again at some point.
Health Minister Jose Angel Cordova Villalobos said a total of 701 cases of so-called swine flu have been found positive for the new virus.
More than 100 persons in Mexico are thought to have died from the killer flu strain, although only 26 cases have been confirmed. They include 16 women and 10 men.
The World Health Organization said Monday that 1025 cases of the H1N1 virus had been officially reported across 20 countries, with Portugal being the latest among them to confirm its first case of swine flu.
A young woman who recently returned to Portugal from Mexico has recovered from swine flu but is being kept in isolation at her home, said Portuguese health minister, Ana Jorge.
The number of confirmed cases of swine flu across the world is rising.
Spain raised the number of infected cases from 40 to 54, and Italy from two to four.
Although the number of confirmed cases rose from 160 to 286 in the U.S., this was because the results of lab tests were now coming through, rather than because of a new surge in cases, officials said.
Person-to-person transmission has been confirmed in six countries.
The Mexican government objected to "discriminatory measures" against its citizens abroad in the sake of prevention of swine flu.
Mexican President Felipe Calderon said the discriminatory measures against Mexicans by some countries come out of " ignorance and misinformation."
Mexico took strong exception to China for placing about 70 Mexicans in quarantine, claiming that they did not contract swine flu.
The Mexican authorities are reportedly planning to airlift its isolated citizens from Beijing.
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June 05, 2026 16:18 ET A busy week for economic news flow saw a slew of reports being released that reflected the trends in the U.S. labor market. In Europe, economic growth and inflation data gained attention as the European Central Bank and Bank of England head for policy session later in the month. In Asia, the monetary policy session of the Indian central bank was in focus as the country, a major oil importer, reels under the pressures of a weaker rupee and rising inflation.