Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
New Mexico's governor on Wednesday ratcheted up efforts to slow the coronavirus pandemic by ordering restaurants to close their doors Thursday and allow only take-out orders or deliveries, plus requiring hotels to operate at only 50% of capacity.
Repeatedly stressing the need for “social distancing” to slow the spread of the virus, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said during a news conference Wednesday that bars, breweries and food establishments will be limited to takeout service and home delivery only.
Several restaurants in Tucumcari, including Cornerstone First Edition, Kix on 66 and Del's Restaurant, promptly announced on social media they would take carry-out orders starting Thursday.
Shopping malls, health clubs, movie theaters also were directed to close Thursday. The Odeon Theatre, Quay County's only movie venue, announced earlier in the week it would close because of the pandemic.
The 50% occupancy stipulation for hotels doesn't apply to those providing lodging to health-care workers caring for New Mexicans or businesses providing temporary housing to people employed and working in New Mexico.
The governor said typical offices not engaged in essential operations should be immediately limit operations.
“People should think about having no more than 10 staff on hand,” Lujan Grisham said. “Frankly, if they can do so, they should go further.”
The governor directed all casinos, horse racing facilities and attendant restaurant or bar operations to close, except for tribal casinos that operate under their own sovereign nations.
Exempt from the order are grocery stores, pharmacies, shelters, courthouses, banks, jails, hospitals, health clinics and churches.
The orders are in effect through April 10, though Lujan Grisham said it may be extended “as needed.”
The state's Department of Health stated that state authorities will ramp up surveillance of businesses to ensure compliance. Violators of the order could lose their licenses to operate, face fines or even jail time.
The number of people in New Mexico who tested positive for the virus reached 28 on Wednesday – none in Quay County so far. The pandemic has infected more than 200,000 people worldwide and killed more than 8,700. Health experts say the highly contagious virus is 10 times more lethal than seasonal flu. The elderly and people with compromised immune systems are the most vulnerable to it.