Lock looms over Mexico

Mexican authorities scrambling to contain the swine flu outbreak have closed schools and universities across the country and are considering a total shutdown of the capital, reports the Financial Times. Some businesses have remained open in Mexico City, but people are avoiding bars and restaurants, and the public transport system may be closed down as part of quarantine measures.

“If someone sneezed everyone would back away as if the person had the plague,” said one rider on Mexico City's subway, where many passengers wore masks. Armed police officers are also guarding hospitals in Mexico City while roads and schools in the city are deserted. Officials also have talked about shutting down the bus and subway systems.

Marcelo Ebrard, the city's mayor, said the next step in trying to quarantine the virus, a hybrid of human and animal influenza strains that scientists have never seen, could be shutting down the public transport network. He was also set to meet private-sector leaders over limiting the working day. At the weekend, one of Mexico's leading business councils, which represents private-sector companies, agreed to stagger factory shifts to reduce the number of people in closed spaces.

The possibility of closing one of the world's biggest cities comes as its 22m residents are feeling a growing sense of panic. The flu has started to affect the sporting programme in Mexico, where the governing body of football is considering suggestions that all major matches next weekend should be played behind closed doors.

Mexico's labour secretary Javier Alarcon also says employers should isolate anyone showing up for work with fever, cough, sore throat or other signs of the flu.