New Mexico Governor closes all non-essential businesses
SANTA FE (KSMX)- Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has announced additional restrictions to “curve” the spread of the COVID-19 virus in New Mexico that now tops out at 83 total cases in 11 out of 33 New Mexico counties.
According to the New Mexico Department of Health, the order closes all non-essential businesses, requiring 100 percent of the state’s non-essential workforce to work from home will be put into effect 8 a.m. Tuesday, March 24.
The order is in effect until April 10.
The new executive order instructs New Mexicans to remain in their homes or places of residence except for outings absolutely necessary for health, safety and welfare. Officials have advised that New Mexicans “must stay at home and undertake only those outings absolutely necessary for their health, safety or welfare” and further restricts “mass gatherings” of five or more individuals in outdoor spaces.
“The only way for us to stop the spread of this virus is for New Mexicans to stop interacting with each other,” said Gov. Lujan Grisham. “New Mexicans must be crystal-clear on this point: Right now, every time you leave your house, you are putting yourself, your family and your community at risk. Only by distancing from one another, by remaining home except for essential or emergency travel, can we limit the spread of this virus to the point that it does not overwhelm New Mexico.
Businesses deemed essential that may remain open are:
- Health care operations
- Homeless shelters
- Childcare facilities
- Grocery stores
- Farms, ranches, and other food cultivation, processing, or packaging operations;
- All facilities used by law enforcement personnel, first responders, firefighters, emergency management personnel, dispatch operators, and court personnel.
- Infrastructure operations including, but not limited to, public works construction; commercial and residential facility construction and maintenance; airport operations; public transportation; airlines; taxis; private transportation providers; water, sewer, trash and recycling collection, processing and disposal; gas; electrical; oil drilling; oil refining; natural resources extraction or mining operations; nuclear material research and enrichment; that attendant to the repair and construction of roads and highways; solid waste collection and removal; processing and disposal; data and internet providers; data centers; and telecommunications systems;
- Manufacturing operations
- Services necessary to maintain the safety and sanitation of residences or essential businesses
- Media services including television, radio, and newspaper operations
- Gas stations, automobile repair facilities, and retailers who generate the majority of their revenue from the sale of automobile repair products
- Hardware stores
- Laundromats and dry cleaner services
- Utilities, including their contractors and suppliers, engaged in power generation, fuel supply and transmission, water and wastewater supply
- Funeral homes, crematoriums and cemeteries
- Banks, credit unions, insurance providers, payroll services, brokerage services, and investment management firms;
- Real estate services including brokers, title companies, and related services.
- Businesses providing mailing and shipping services, including post office boxes;
- Laboratories and defense and national security-related operations supporting the United States government or a contractor to the United States government;
- Restaurants, but only for delivery or carry out and local breweries or distilleries but only for carry out
- Professional services, such as legal or accounting services, but only where necessary to assist in compliance with legally mandated activities; and
- Logistics and businesses that store, ship or deliver groceries, food, goods or services directly to residences or retailers.
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