Public Order with New Restrictions Now in Effect for New Mexico
On October 23, 2020, the following changes went into in effect, per the amended public health order:
- Businesses that incur four rapid responses over a two-week period will be required to close for two weeks. This occurs when an employer reports, as required, an incidence of COVID-19 in the workplace to the state Environment Department (OSHA), which oversees state occupational health and safety efforts. This closure requirement will apply to food and drink establishments, close-contact businesses, all retail spaces and places of lodging. Hospitals are exempt from this requirement
- All retail establishments must close by 10:00 pm each night.
- All food and drink establishments serving alcohol must close by 10:00 pm
- Retail establishments are defined in the public health order as businesses selling goods or services directly to a customer and it includes grocery stores and “big box” stores such as Walmart.
- Food and drink establishments must complete the New Mexico Safe Certification training program to be allowed to continue indoor dining at a maximum of 25% occupancy, starting today. Food and drink establishments have until Friday, Oct. 30 to get certified or they will no longer be able to continue in-door dining. They may however provide outdoor service at 75% of maximum occupancy, but may not provide indoor dining.
- Restaurants wishing to continue limited indoor dining must also consent, as part of the certification program, to spot testing of employees by the state Department of Health. The Department of Health will prioritize spot-testing for establishments in high-risk counties where the spread of the virus is greatest.
- Restaurants wishing to continue limited indoor dining must require customers who dine in to provide their name and contact information in a logbook, and retain the information for no less than three weeks. This is to assist state regulators in contact-tracing efforts. Previously, this contribution to contact-tracing efforts was only recommended, the Governor now mandates it.
- The state has also closed state museums and historical sites.
Click to Get NM Safe Certified
The NM Safe Certified Program, administered by the New Mexico Society of Association Executives, offers free, on-demand training modules to help tourism businesses to create a safe and responsible environment for employees and guests. Upon completion of the program, certified businesses can access the following benefits:
- Recognition as a NM Safe Certified business.
- Usage of the NM Safe Certified seal to promote business
- Option to be included in the NM Safe Certified business directory
- Access to the NM Safe Certified resource toolkit
- Lodging establishments that complete the NM Safe Certified program can operate at 60% maximum capacity.
REMINDER: Food and drink establishments must complete the NM Safe Certified program in order to continue indoor service as of October 30, 2020.
Updated 10/23/2020 COVID cases in Moreno Valley ***Total confirmed cases in Colfax County since the beginning of the pandemic = 43. (“new cases” are removed 14 days after a positive result is announced )
10/11/2020 – 1 new case in the Eagle Nest zip code.
10/22/2020 – 1 new case reported in the Cimarron zip code.
10/23/2020 – 1 new case in the Eagle Nest zip code.
0 new cases in Angel Fire zip code
As of October 23, 2020 the NMDOH has reported testing 1,099,484 people in NM with 40,168 positive test results. Sadly, NM has reported 960 deaths due to Covid-19.
Please continue to practice the recommended hygiene and social distancing, and wear a mask when required. The percentage of positive tests per total tests is now 3.6% in NM. The fatality rate is 2.4% of those afflicted. The virus has affected 1.7% of the total population of NM and caused deaths in .04% of the total population in NM.
Visit: Coronavirus.gov or cvprovider.nmhealth.org for additional information.
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