Mexico to fine firms disobeying flu shutdown order

MEXICO CITY, May 1 (Reuters) - Mexico threatened on Friday to fine or forcibly close companies if they refuse to obey an order to shut down for May 1-5 to stem the spread of a flu virus that has killed up to 176 people in the country.

President Felipe Calderon has ordered all non-essential businesses to close for five days, extending a long weekend that started with a May 1 public holiday, but some companies planned to defy the call.

A major Mexican factory association has said many plants will operate during the period and many low-income Mexicans who are self-employed plan to work on Monday and Tuesday.

The Labor Ministry said government inspectors would be checking on companies that refuse to follow the order.

The federal government's chief prosecutor for labor laws said non-complying companies could be fined and even shut down with the aid of police.

"Fines could be given out right away," Joaquin Blanes, the federal prosecutor, told Reuters. Fines could be up to several thousand dollars.

Mexico reported a week ago that a new H1N1 flu virus with elements of swine, avian and human varieties was spreading rapidly through the country, although by Friday the government voiced hope it might be getting control of the outbreak. (Reporting by Jason Lange; Editing by Bill Trott)