New Mexico governor rejects call to lift virus restrictions
SANTA FE (KSMX)- New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Tuesday defended her response to the coronavirus pandemic amid calls by Republican lawmakers who want her to remove enforced business restrictions.
The Associated Press reported, Lujan Grisham responded to 13 state senators who want the governor to provide only safety guidelines in a letter.
The first-term Democratic governor says demands for an immediate, full-scale reopening of the economy are “reckless, ignore effective health precautions and will only serve to inflame misinformed public opinion and risk further illness and likely death”.
On May 16, Lujan Grisham announced a public health mandate,allowing many businesses to reopen at a fraction of capacity to avoid crowding and transmission of COVID-19. However, restrictions remain in place for dine-in restaurant service, gyms and hair salons, while face covering are required for everyone in public places with exceptions for outdoor exercise and eating.
Lujan Grisham says she has outlined a plan to move even those high-risk businesses back into operation in the near future based on progress in limiting transmission of the coronavirus.
Republican lawmakers including state Senate minority leader Stuart Ingle of Portales say recent state health orders and unrelenting state budget shortfalls are having a disastrous effect on the economy.
House Republicans announced on Friday, May 15, that a team of attorneys has been assembled in preparation to file a lawsuit against Governor Lujan-Grisham.
According to the press release, the specifics of this legal action will be made once the suit is filed.
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