Inspectors in Guadalajara and Zapopan – the two largest municipalities of the metropolitan area, accounting for more than two-thirds of its population – worked overtime during the first period of the year’s Covid-19 restrictions (botón de emergencia) between January 16 and 31.

After assessing no significant reduction in Covid-19 infections, hospitalizations and deaths in the state over the past two weeks, Jalisco Governor Enrique Alfaro has extended until February 12 the current restrictions on some businesses, gatherings in public spaces, and social and cultural activities.

A University of Guadalajara research laboratory has detected four cases in Jalisco of a newer coronavirus strain that, while probably not any more lethal or aggressive, might bypass the body’s natural defense memory that affords immunity, and could even render certain vaccines less effective.

CULTURE DEPARTURE

Jalisco Culture Secretary Giovana Jaspersen has resigned her position for “personal reasons.” She will be replaced by Susana Chávez Brandon, the current director of the Instituto Cultural Cabañas.

Influential figures are calling for an extension to the current range of restrictions designed to contain the spread of Covid-19 infections in Jalisco, which are due to be lifted after Sunday, January 31.

Despite the pandemic restrictions (botón de emergencia) introduced in Jalisco prohibiting all social gatherings in the state until January 31, the 74th edition of the Intermoda fashion trade show went ahead on schedule at Expo Guadalajara this week, much to the disbelief of many.