May 16 to May 31, 2020
By Jo Mixon
On Friday, May 15, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham modified some of the changes made in the Public Health Order that she had announced on May 13th.
Phase 1: What will now change Saturday, May 16:
- All retailers may operate according to COVID-Safe Practices (“CSPs”) at 25 % fire code occupancy instead of the previously announced 20% for big Box Stores and 25% for newly opened retailers.
- Office spaces and call centers, may operate according to CSPs at up to 25% of pre-crisis staffing levels. But all employees should continue to work from home wherever possible.
- Churches may operate at 25% occupancy not at 10% as said on the 13th.
- Nine more state parks will be allowed to open May 16 joining the eight allowed to open May 1, they are: Oasis, Oliver Lee, Clayton Lake & Dinosaur Trackways, Pancho Villa, Mesilla Valley Bosque, Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, Coyote Creek, City of Rocks, and Rockhound for day use only. Eagle Nest Lake had expected to open, but was not on the list. Before visiting a state Park check for hours of operation, visitor capacity, available facilities and group size. Click Here
- Certain outdoor recreation activities, with COVID-Safe Practices will be able to open. Included in Angel Fire are the Angel Fire Bike Park and Roadrunner Tours Horseback Riding.
- Golf Courses will be allowed to open following COVID-Safe Practices. Visit Here for the Angel Fire Resort Golf Course opening guidelines.
- Short term vacation rentals may rent to New Mexico residents but are prohibited to rent to out-of-state residents.
- Masks will be required of everyone in public places, with exceptions for eating, drinking, exercising and those with medical requirements and conditions that may cause unsafe reactions when wearing a mask..
* The eased restrictions above do not apply to the Northwest public health region, which includes Cibola, McKinley and San Juan counties.
What will remain the same:
- New Mexicans must remain home except for outings essential for health, safety and welfare, especially elderly and vulnerable individuals. If you must leave home, gatherings of more than five people remain prohibited and 6 feet of physical distance from others must be maintained. Travel between in state counties is not advised, nor is out of state travel.
- MVD, gyms, swimming pools, salons, barbers, spas, dine-in service at restaurants, bars, visitor centers, indoor malls, massage and tattoo parlors, theaters, casinos.etc, remain closed
- Hotels, Motels and RV Parks are to maintain no more than 25% occupancy
- Restaurants may be open for carry out and delivery only, local breweries, wineries and distilleries for take out orders only.
- 14-day quarantine order remains in place for out-of-state commercial airport arrivals. Also advised in the last paragraph of the Public Health Order is that everyone avoid out of state travel and you should self isolate after all out of state travel.
- Vacation rentals prohibited to out-of-state residents.
- Visits to long-term care and other congregate care facilities remain restricted.
COVID-Safe Practices for all Open Businesses
- Adhere to maximum occupancy limits per public health order
- Support social distancing
- Face coverings for all employees
- Maintain schedule of stringent daily cleaning/sanitizing, including frequent cleaning of high-contact items and surfaces (doors, credit card terminals, counter tops, etc.)
- Establish protocols for contactless pickup and delivery wherever possible
New Public Health Order Document
The link below is a 47 page document with the COVID Safe Practices guidelines from the state, per Industry. It was too large for the Blast to accept so please download it at the link below.
Leave a Reply