Cancun shutters all casinos

Cancun’s mayor María Lezama Espinosa announced last week that her administration has ordered the closing of casinos, cinemas, bars and discos effective immediately, as part of the measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The move, which applies to the municipality of Benito Juárez, was made with officials saying the advance of the pandemic requires taking stricter measures, understanding that people’s health and life take precedence over economic value, the Riviera Maya Times reports.

Lezama Espinosa said that as of Thursday, in-person tax payments will be suspended without any consequence to the tax payer, noting that it is vital to prevent the spread of the virus, for which it is necessary to respect the provisions of the federal, state and municipal governments.

“We cannot allow the virus to spread, we must put up barriers, which is why we are working with all sectors, hoteliers, restaurateurs, shopping malls, street vendors. We have to act based on a strategy and in an orderly manner,” she explained.

“Everyone agrees we need to take whatever actions need to be taken. You have to establish social isolation and there are businesses that will have to close,” she added. “It is not about creating panic, but it is a global pandemic…and we are living it. The most important thing is health, hence preventive measures must be applied.”