Mexico has entered its most serious stage in the spread of the coronavirus, which the government calls “Phase 3,” as the spread of the virus is intensifying, Deputy Health Minister Hugo Lopez-Gatell has said.

“Today we want to announce the start of ‘Phase 3’ of the Covid pandemic, remembering that we are in the phase of rapid spread where a large number of infections and hospitalisations are accumulated,” Lopez-Gatell said during a daily morning news conference held by President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

Lopez-Gatell added that public meetings would not be able to held during this phase and it was vital for people to maintain social distancing.