Within the framework of the “new normalcy,” because of COVID-19, the Secretariat of Health [in Spanish: la Secretaría de Salud], together with the Secretariat of Labor and Social Services [in Spanish: la Secretaría de Trabajo y Previsión Social], and the Mexican Social Security Institute [in Spanish: el Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social], published on July 27 in the Official Gazette of the Federation [in Spanish: el Diario Oficial de la Federación], the criteria that employers must take into consideration regarding the return to activities for their workers belonging to high-risk groups.
In the agreement published in the Official Gazette of the Federation on May 29, 2020: “Agreement that establishes specific technical guidelines for the reopening of economic activities,” shows us the high-risk populations of those who, according to particular conditions or health characteristics, are more prone to developing complications or dying from COVID-19.
Concerning the previous definition of the Secretariat of Labor and Social Services, as well as the Mexican Social Security Institute, the www.coronavirus.gob.mx website has been made available, listing the criteria for the return to activities for high-risk populations.
High-risk populations
- Women in the third trimester of pregnancy.
- Mothers who are breastfeeding during maternity leave.
- Obese individuals with a body mass index greater than 40.
- People over 60 without a disorder.
- Persons with Stage 2 Uncontrolled Arterial Hypertension.
- Persons with Uncontrolled Diabetes Mellitus.
- Persons with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
- Persons who have moderate asthma.
- Persons with cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases.
- Persons who have chronic kidney disease.
- Persons undergoing immunosuppressive treatment due to pathologic stages.
- Persons with HIV.
- Persons with cancer.
- Persons with more than one disorder.
Criteria for high-risk populations
The high-risk criteria were established concerning the assessment of vulnerability as determined by the authorities. These factors are identified considering the following:
- If the vulnerability situation presents an unforeseen difficulty.
- If pathology management prior to a COVID-19 infection influences the prognosis.
Regarding the previous point, the authorities have shared with us the following criteria.
- Workers who do not meet the criteria for the assessment of vulnerability can return on the Red light.
- Workers who meet the criteria for the assessment of vulnerability will return based on the yellow light in non-COVID work-related areas, except for persons with cancer, who will return until there is a green light, and mothers who are breastfeeding, when their maternity leave period ends.
- Workers that meet the criteria for the assessment of vulnerability who are employed in COVID work-related areas will return until there is a green light.
