Mexico’s ususal May Day celebrations have been cancelled all over the country and in the capital, Mexico City, government buildings are closed for the next five days.

Shops, restaurants, bars and gyms have shut down in an attempt to stop the spread of the H1N1 flu virus.

President Calderon has asked Mexicans to stay at home over the holiday weekend.

The health minister says there has been a noticeable drop in the number of people being admitted to hospital with severe flu symptoms, but as the BBC’s Stephen Gibbs reports from Mexico City there is still a lot of anxiety.