MEXICO CITY: Mexican officials lowered their A(H1N1) flu alert level in the capital yesterday, and plan to allow cafes, museums and libraries to reopen this week, while world health officials weighed raising their pandemic alert to the highest level.

Mexican officials declared the epidemic to be waning, announcing that tomorrow will conclude a five-day closure of nonessential businesses that was called to stop the spread of the new virus. Health officials need to finish inspecting schools before students can return to class.

Global health experts however said it was too early to make lower guard, but there were no imminent plans to raise the pandemic alert level.