Mexico president kicks off 'new normal' phase

Amid the coronavirus pandemic and the remnants of a tropical storm, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador kicked off Mexico's return to a "new normal" Monday with his first road trip in two months.

He announced in Cancun that Mexico's most popular beach destination officially plans to reopen next week.

Around Cancún, nothing appears normal yet as the beaches are empty and bars and restaurants remain closed.

The dramatic drop of international air travel and April 1 closure of its beaches left thousands unemployed.

While some residents consider the reopening necessary to be able to work again, others are not sure about the timing given by the government.

Andres Jose Conrado said maybe his city could reopen in a few months, but it is more important to continue with the health precautions.

Sergio Ortega Jara, another resident who is out of work, said jobs need to come back.

He conceded that the virus was a real danger, but insisted people need to work.

López Obrador plans to spend the week promoting the start of construction for the Mayan Train, which will whisk tourists from resort destinations like Cancun into the interior of the Yucatan Peninsula.

While the federal government's nationwide social distancing rule formally ended Monday, it is urging people in so-called "red" zones to maintain most of those measures.

Mexico is nearing 100,000 confirmed infections and nearly 10,000 deaths, both considered to be undercounts.

The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death.