Ciudad Acuna hasn’t quite locked the city down but they’ve taken a step in the direction.
This is a statement from Acuna City Hall Wednesday night.
Good evening caused by the increase in cases and a hospital occupancy to 70%, today the Regional Health Subcommittee took the following agreements that come into force from January 20 to February 3.
- Reduction of hours for businesses that close at 8:00 p.m. except for shopping centers that will close at 10:00 p.m. (The islands and rental premises will close at 8:00 p.m. even if they are inside the property )
NOTE 1: Alcohol will stop selling at 8:00 p.m.
NOTE 2: Pharmacies and pharmacies with groceries can remain open 24 hours, however from 8:00 p.m. they will only sell medicines.
- Inspections of businesses will be strengthened in order to ensure that they comply with the COVID-19 protocols, with the possibility of fines and, where appropriate, closing those who are not complying.
* During the meeting, the proposal of closures from 6:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday and closed weekends was put on the table * Fortunately, it was not approved, expecting the reduction of cases in the next 2 weeks.
However, the Acuna Chamber of Commerce says shutting businesses down at a certain time isn’t the best thing. “We want to help reduce the cases but this isn’t the right way to go. We want the authorities, the businesses, the Chamber of Commerce to work hand in hand, but this isn’t the way to do,” said Luis Urraza, Acuna Chamber of Commerce president.
Urraza said he doesn’t think people are catching the virus in businesses, but after hours. “We think the authorities need to go to the neighborhoods, and homes and ranches where people are having big get togethers,” said Urraza. “Our businesses have everything you need to keep people safe, they have sanitizer, they are trying to enforce social distancing, they have what they need.
Urraza said he has sympathy for everyone’s plight. “I know it’s hard, I know people are dying but this isn’t the right path,” he said.
He thinks people will find their way around the restrictions. “People are going to go buy the beer at 7:45 p.m., go get together with friends and drink beer, that is not going to do anyone any good.”
