Mexican churches empty due to coronavirus measures

Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City and all churches throughout Mexico were eerily empty after the Catholic Church asked the faithful to remain home to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

On Thursday, a day ahead of Good Friday, Father Arnulfo Hernández blessed parishioners outside the empty basilica while practicing social distancing.

The biggest Easter-week procession in Mexico has been made "virtual' and online.

Latin America's most famous re-enactment of the crucifixion of Christ will be closed to the public for the first time in 177 years.

For 30-year-old Hugo Monroy, who has worked since the age of 15 in the family's shop at the popular Sonora Market in Mexico City, the weeks leading up to Easter have always been good for sales of the religious imagery they specialise on.

City authorities have ordered the temporary closure of the market to avoid large public gatherings because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Monroy, like many other shopkeepers at the market, hopes to be allowed to open again to the public provided they take the necessary sanitary precautions.

"We have families, children, so we cannot stop just like that," he said.

But even, if they were to be allowed to open, he realises he wouldn't be able to recuperate his investment as most of his clients would stay home.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, that clear up in two to three weeks.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and could lead to death.