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NM begins Phase 1 of Reopening after COVID-19

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Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham says the state is on track to enter Phase 1 of reopening in some areas.

On May 16 the state will make the following updates to the current public health order:

  • All retailers will be reopened provided they operate at 25 percent of their fire code capacity while maintaining COVID-19 safe practices
    • What does the state define as a retailer? Any business that sells goods directly to the ultimate consumer or end user.
    • This does NOT include: entertainment venues such as movie theaters, concert halls or amusement parks

On May 16 the following will stay the same:

  • New Mexicans are urged to continue to stay home, especially if you are sick or vulnerable
  • Slight re-openings are NOT an invitation to unnecessarily leave your home
  • Congregation in large groups continues to be prohibited – same 5
  • If you must go out, maintain 6 feet physical distance

What does this mean for summer youth programs?

  • In person summer programs and sports camps will be restricted to 5-to-1 child to adult ratios for children who live in local geographic area only
  • Student and staff groupings should be self-contained meaning the same children staying with the same staff, not mixing between groups
  • High risk staff and students must be informed on the need for additional actions, such as not attending or having additional restrictions, including contact with high-risk family members
  • Sports programs must be restricted to contactless sports only and non-competitive play

What are COVID-safe practices?

  • Adhere to max occupancy limits per the public health order
  • Face coverings worn by all employees
  • Maintain a schedule of stringent daily cleaning/sanitizing, including frequent cleaning of high-touch items (doors, credit card terminals, etc…)
  • Establish protocols for contactless pickup and delivery whenever possible
  • More specific COVID-safe practices for individual industries are being finalized

What’s next?

  • Phase 2 of reopening has a goal set for early June
  • More high-intensity contact businesses will be phased in
    • Salons, barbers, gyms, indoor malls, dine-in restaurants with limited occupancy and those same COVID-safe practices
    • Potential expansions of occupancy for houses of worship, hotels and motels

The governor said that at this time the following updates will not apply to the northwestern part of the state which still has high rates of COVID-19 infection. This includes McKinley, San Juan and Cibola counties.

Source: KOAT

Photo by Mike Petrucci on Unsplash

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