Mexican government

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador says stay-at-home orders in response to the coronavirus should be voluntary during his morning press conference on April 15, 2020.

On the first day of Sonora’s so-called "Obligatory Stay-At-Home Phase Two" order Monday, police imposed 130 fines, made two arrests and impounded six cars because of people’s failure to follow the new guidelines, according to State Security Minister David Anaya Cooley.

In response, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said Wednesday that people should be persuaded, not forced, to comply with measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

"No, no not that," he said of Sonoran enforcement during his a morning press conference. "It has to be voluntary. And in truth, I feel that Mexicans have been very well behaved."

Lopez Obrador said Mexican states do have the right to implement their own measures to keep people safe, but citizens have been "exemplary" in following the government’s orders so far, and coronavirus restrictions should remain voluntary.