Mexican President Felipe Calderon has announced the decision to suspend all non-essential government and business activity for five days. Mexico City's Mayor says the government's plan to partially shut down the economy may not be enough to stop the spread of the H1N1 flu virus in the country.

Mexico City's Mayor, Marcelo Ebrard, warned residents of the capital that they would have to live with the deadly flu virus for a while. This as the death toll in the country rose to 176.

Marcelo Ebrard, Mexico City mayor, said, "We have to understand that we will not be finished with this virus in a week. It is a virus that we are going to have to live with for a longer period of time."

Ebrard's comments came as President Felipe Calderon announced the decision to suspend all non-essential activity for five days.

The government wants offices and private businesses that are not crucial to the economy to stop work from May 1st to the 5th to try and prevent further infections from the H1N1 flu virus.

For the past few days, restaurants, museums, cinemas and gyms in the capital have already all shut down. And schools around the country were closed.

Meanwhile, Mexico City's international airport also installed thermal cameras to monitor passengers who may have contracted the virus.

"I feel that the steps the government has taken are good. I think they are handling the situation well," said a Mexico City resident.

But Mexico's economy is already being slammed by the effect of so many people staying home with their purses shut. A series of travel warnings by foreign governments is also expected to slash Mexico's tourism income.

(CCTV.com May 1, 2009)