State officials announce more public restrictions and funding for childcare professionals
SANTA FE(KSMX)- Today, May 5, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and state officials hosted a remote news conference to provide an update on COVID-19 efforts in New Mexico.
During the press conference, Gov. Lujan Grisham again expressed the importance of COVID-19 safety precautions which then lead to the announcement of two more public health restrictions and incentive pay to early childhood professionals.
Effective tomorrow, May 6, employees at restaurants and essential businesses operating as a retail space with a footprint greater than 50,000 square feet will be required to wear facemasks. Effective May 11, all essential businesses operating as a retail space shall require employees to wear face- coverings such as cloth masks, surgical masks or procedural masks.
The hope is to reach phase 1 of the economic recovery by mid-May. The Governor said that doing so depends on the data that will be received from this preparation phase and continued testing efforts. Phase 1 would include lessening even more restrictions on businesses like retailers, restaurants, gyms, salons, and houses of worship.
A portion of the federal CARES ACT will go towards incentive pay to early childhood professionals working in centers that remain open during the pandemic.
- $700/month wage incentive for full-time workers
- $350/month wage incentive for part-time workers
$12 million in grants will be awarded to licensed child care providers harmed by the health emergency.
Lujan Grisham stated, “some of the lowest-paid professionals within the state are in childcare and these incentives are extremely important. I wish it could be more.”
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