FACTBOX-Mexico shuts down to stem deadly swine flu outbreak

April 30 - Mexican President Felipe Calderon has ordered non-essential government offices and businesses to shut down for five days from Friday to stem the spread of a deadly swine flu virus that has killed up to 176 people in Mexico.

Here are some key facts about the shutdown and the plans of some major companies:

* The police and the army will continue to on duty and the government has asked essential services in the private sector to continue to work, including grocers, markets, transport, health services, pharmacies, telecommunications and media. Ports, airports and roads will not be closed.

* Some operations at state oil company Pemex will continue. The government has yet to specify what parts of the major oil exporter will be affected by the shutdown.

* Walmart's Mexican subsidiary Wal-Mart de Mexico, one of the nation's largest employers and its top retailer, will not close its stores and will operate normally, a spokesman said.

* Miner Penoles, which controls Mexico's largest silver producer Fresnillo and copper giant Grupo Mexico said production continued normally but the companies were examining the government shutdown order, since it takes time to stop big mining operations.

* Volkswagen's Mexican plant will close its doors for the five-day period. A spokesman said VW had already planned the shutdown that coincides with the Cinco de Mayo holiday, which is especially celebrated in Mexico's Puebla state where VW's factory is located.

* Other private sector services that will stay open are gasoline stations, hotels and some restaurants as long as they are not too crowded. It was unclear how many other businesses would follow the government recommendation to close.