Mexico City shutdown likely to lifted on Wednesday: Government

MEXICO CITY: A shutdown of Mexico City -- affecting its restaurants, cafes, bars, clubs, cinemas, theaters and gyms -- is likely to be lifted on Monday given the lowered threat from the A(H1N1) flu virus, Mexico's government said.

"It is very likely that restaurants and other points of economic activity will re-open on Wednesday," Health Minister Jose Angel Cordova told a news conference late yesterday.

President Felipe Calderon said in an interview broadcast on radio and television that, if it still looks like the virus has stabilized, "we won't cry victory, but we can look at resuming certain activities."

Mexican authorities on April 28 ordered all public venues in the capital to close in a bid to contain the spread of the virus.

Hospitality sector representatives have said the measure was costing Mexico's economy USD 100 million a day and threatening 450,000 jobs.

Cordova earlier yesterday said the flu epidemic was "in its phase of decline" after hitting a peak April 23-28.