Mexican Law Firms Hunker Down as COVID-19 Cases Mount

A growing number of Mexican law firms are telling their lawyers to work from home as cases of the new coronavirus mount in the country.

Hogan Lovells has asked its Americas staff, including in Mexico and Latin America, to work remotely.

Chevez Ruiz Zamarripa, a Mexican firm that specializes in tax advice, has ordered its more than 500 employees to work from home.

Gonzalez Calvillo has asked its more than 200 staff members to avoid in-person meetings and self-quarantine if they have traveled to higher-risk regions.

The country's Education Ministry has mandated schools to close for four weeks starting March 20. Many parents and companies opted to self-quarantine earlier, after a long holiday weekend.

The voluntary social distancing comes as Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador vowed to continue courting throngs of supporters at public events in Latin America's second-biggest economy.

In the days ahead, López Obrador plans to join a celebration with an indigenous community in southern Mexico. Last weekend, he greeted members of isolated communities with kisses on the cheek—bringing criticism that he wasn't setting a good example or that he could potentially infect poor, marginalized Mexicans.

Mexico had confirmed 93 cases of COVID-19 as of Tuesday evening.

Elsewhere in Latin America, Chile announced Monday that it will block entry to foreign nationals after confirmed cases of the coronavirus reached 155 in the South American country. Argentina and Peru have announced similar bans.

Law Firms in Mexico Wary as Borders Stay Open; Other Latin American Countries Ban Visitors From Europe

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