Mexico City and the seven adjoining State of Mexico municipalities are semi-paralyzed following the Friday declaration of a "maximum alert" by city authorities in a bid to fight swine flu.

Local authorities ordered to shut down public parks, theatres, museums, cinemas and libraries, while the Education Ministry closed all educational institutions, from nurseries to universities until May 6, in a bid to halt the spread of the swine flu virus.

Privately owned cinema operator Cinemex also suspended performances in the Valley of Mexico, which covers the city and a large chunk of the state. The diving Grand Prix in the city's Olympic swimming pool took place behind closed doors and football teams have barred all but players and technical staff from Sunday's matches.

Even the city's archbishop called a halt to all public religious worship. The federal government has reported 22 confirmed deaths of swine flu and another 64 suspected death cases.

Health Minister Jose Angel Cordova said later Sunday that suspected swine flu cases have risen to 1,614 with 103 believed dead.

"All my family is using face masks and we only go to the store for staple foods, fizzy drinks and water, so we can avoid infection," factory worker Juan Jose Oliva told Xinhua.

It is common to see dozens of people with their mouth and nose covered, and pharmacies and supermarkets are running out of the face masks.

Cafes, bars and restaurants are almost empty.

"We are about to close doors, because we have no clients and we are not going to earn even enough to pay employees," Ismael Godinez, who manages cafe Gourmet branch in the south of the city told Xinhua. "My family is using face masks, but I am afraid a customer might give me influenza," he said.

The City government on Sunday said it would distribute a million face masks on public transport systems, the metro, metro bus and light rail. Volunteers are also handing out face masks provided by the city at intersections, when traffic lights turn red.

"It seems that covering half our faces with masks scares clients," said taxi driver Ruben Ortiz. "Many of them are suspicious and prefer public buses," he said. He described the capital as living in "a climate of fear."

The city's main markets Sonora, Jamaica and La Merced saw a decline in the number of visitors and buyers while the city's main thoroughfares are empty. Taxi stands are filled with vehicles that nobody wants to ride.

(Xinhua News Agency April 27, 2009)