In gleaming office towers and gritty markets, Mexicans returned to work Wednesday after a five-day swine flu shutdown, and dozens returned to a heroes' welcome from "humiliating" quarantines in China. But Mexico's death toll rose, feeding fears of more infections now that crowds are gathering again, AP reported.
The World Health Organization urged countries not to quarantine visitors or impose trade restrictions without scientific reasons. But China defiantly justified its quarantines as protection for its densely populated cities. And even impoverished Haiti turned away a Mexican ship carrying desperately needed food aid because of flu fears.
In Mexico City, friends and co-workers greeted each other with back slaps, firm handshakes - and dollops of hand sanitizer. Some high-rises stationed doctors in their lobbies who questioned returning employees and required visitors to fill out forms stating they had no flu symptoms. Maitre d's in surgical masks stood at attention amid rows of sidewalk tables that were pulled out and washed down for the first time in days.
The city's health secretary late Wednesday announced that all businesses - including sports arenas, dance halls, movie theaters and all restaurants - will be allowed to operate Thursday. But Armando Ahued said businesses must screen for ill people and make surgical masks mandatory for employees and customers.
"We're returning to normal," said Eugenio Velis, 57, a graphic artist sipping coffee with friends in the trendy Condesa neighborhood.
But Ernesto Viloria, 40, worried about his children using public transit and returning to school.
"Nothing can be the same," insisted Viloria, who works in finance. "The virus continues, even though it's declining, and we have to pay attention."
Mexico's government said the shutdown reduced the spread of the virus at its epicenter. Deaths have slowed as the country mobilized an aggressive public health response to the epidemic that has sickened thousands in 24 countries.
Sweden and Poland were the latest countries to confirm swine flu cases, both in women who had recently visited the U.S.
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