Mexico’s Social Security Institute will grant temporary disability leaves to encourage people to stay home

In order to decrease COVID-19 contagions and prevent the collapse of the health system , Mexico’s Social Security Institute (IMSS) will issue special permits that can be used to request temporary disability leaves if the workers present COVID-19 symptoms.

During a news conference, Mauricio Hernández Ávila said IMSS beneficiaries who have coronavirus symptoms will have access to an app called IMSS Digital, where they will answer a questionary, which will help them find out whether or not they have coronavirus .

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In case they answer all the questions affirmatively, they will receive a 14-day disability leave and the IMSS will send them a package containing a mask , hand sanitizer , antiseptic , and a thermometer .

Hernández Ávila

explained that those who are granted the disability leave will receive 60% of their salary for 11 days; however, if the patient is a health worker or someone who contracted the virus at work , they will receive their full salary for 14 days.

The program was implemented to encourage those who feel sick to stay home .

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