Businesses in New Mexico move forward with restrictions lifted, guidance

SANTA FE, NM (KFOX14/CBS4) — New Mexico is allowing indoor dinning, shopping malls and salons to reopen at limited capacity starting on Monday, June 1, as state health regulators relax restrictions aimed at limiting the spread of the coronavirus.

Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced the changes under a new 30-day public health order, last week.

The changes apply to the entire state.

Restaurants can open their dinning rooms, but must stay at a 50 percent maximum occupancy. Customers must be seated at tables positioned at least 6 feet apart, according to the emergency public health order. Bar and counter seating are still prohibited.

Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagashima issued an emergency proclamation Friday restricting reopening in the city. That order was voted on by Las Cruces City Council Monday, who unanimously voted against extending it.

Emergency proclamations from the mayor are in effect for 72 hours, following which Las Cruces City Council can vote to extend the proclamation up to 14 days. With the unanimous vote not to extend the proclamation, Las Cruces businesses can continue reopening under the guidance issued by Gov. Lujan Grisham.

Gyms are also allowed to reopen at 50 percent occupancy among other restrictions – including that group fitness classes are not permitted.

Indoor malls, hair and nail salons, barber shops, tattoo parlors and massage services may begin operating at 25 percent occupancy. Shopping mall food courts must remain closed, and loitering is prohibited. Salons and other personal-service businesses must operate on a by-appointment basis, per the amended order. Waiting rooms will remain closed; clients will not be allowed to enter until time for their appointment.

As they reopen, all businesses must operate in accordance with COVID-Safe Practices for their industry, which can be found in “All Together New Mexico: COVID-Safe Practices for Individuals and Employers.”

The changes apply to the entire state, including the northwest of the state that accounts for the majority of infections statewide.

State health officials reported 69 new confirmed COVID-19 infections and five related deaths. That brings total confirmed infections to 7,689 and 356 known coronavirus deaths.

Also to be incorporated in the amended public health order:

Drive-in theaters may reopen under COVID-Safe Practices;

Nine additional state parks that reopened for day-use only as of Saturday, with five more opening Monday, some with capacity limits;

Hotels may operate at 50 percent of maximum occupancy under COVID-Safe Practices;

The 14-day quarantine order for airport arrivals has been amended to permit certain business travel under COVID-Safe Practices.

“As we move forward in reopening our economy in a COVID-positive New Mexico, it’s critically important that everyone in our state keeps up the good work we’ve been doing by adopting COVID-19 Safe Practices as a new normal way of life. You know the drill: wear a mask in public, wash your hands often, keep a 6-foot distance from others, and STAY HOME if you are sick or have risk factors,” said Dr. David Scrase, secretary of the Human Services Department.

At gyms, swimming pools may reopen for lap swimming and lessons of up to two students; personal training is permitted for up to two trainees. Group fitness classes are still prohibited, as are sparring, grappling, wrestling and other forms of person-to-person contact training.

Bars – defined as food and beverage service establishments that derived more than 50 percent of their revenue in the prior calendar year from the sale of alcoholic beverages – remain temporarily closed, although breweries and wineries can do curbside pickup where permitted by their licenses.

Workers can make reports about suspected unsafe work environments in the state to nmenv-osha@state.nm.us.

The extended order leaves intact these earlier requirements:

Retailers and houses of worship may operate at 25 percent of maximum occupancy in accordance with COVID-Safe Practices.

Face-coverings must be worn in public settings.

Mass gatherings and congregations are still unsafe and prohibited.

New Mexicans are still urged to stay home, especially if sick or in a high-risk group, and to maintain a 6-foot physical distance from others if you must go out.

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