Yucatán will enforce a ban on alcohol sales over the entire weekend.
The “ley seca” or “dry law” will take effect Saturday and will not be lifted until Monday, following Sunday’s midterm elections.
The ban applies to all establishments selling liquor, including restaurants.
Anyone selling alcohol illegally is liable to face fines of 25,000 pesos and a six-year jail term.
Commentators online have speculated that the ban will be extended given the growing rate of COVID-19 infections in the state.
“The purpose of the alcohol ban is to keep the peace during the election. This is nothing new in Yucatán and has nothing to do with COVID-19,” said Yucatán Gov. Mauricio Vila Dosal.
Earlier: A worrying new trend, COVID-19 infections rise dramatically in Yucatán
State and local police agencies have informed that they will conduct special operations to detect and apprehend rule-breakers.
During the elections, Mexican citizens residing in Yucatán will vote to elect state and local house representatives, as well as mayors.
Most national pollsters are expecting victory for Morena, the political party founded by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
At the local level, Mayor Renán Barrera Concha is projected to win a third term as mayor of Mérida.
