State amends health order

The state of New Mexico on Wednesday amended its emergency public health order to accommodate slightly increased capacity inside essential retail spaces.

The changes in the graduated green-to-red zones of coronavirus risk spread for each county state that essential retail spaces:

• May operate at 50% of maximum occupancy in green-zone counties;

• May operate at 33% of maximum occupancy in yellow-zone counties;

• May operate at 25% of maximum occupancy in red-zone counties.

Previously, essential retail spaces could operate with a limit on maximum occupancy or a specific number of customers at one time, whichever was smaller. The amendment eliminates the latter.

Quay County remained in the red zone after COVID-risk evaluations all New Mexico counties were announced later Wednesday.

“With colder weather here, we want to ensure that people aren't gathering in lines for an unsafe length of time, especially in communities where there are fewer retail options for essential needs,” Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said in a news release announcing the change in the order.

Essential retail spaces, as defined in the emergency public health order, include:

• Grocery stores and supermarkets;

• Food banks;

• Farmers’ markets and vendors who sell food;

• Convenience stores and other businesses that generate more than one-third of their revenue from the sale of canned food, dry goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, pet food, animal feed or supplies, fresh meats, fish, poultry and any other consumable food and drink products;

• Automobile repair facilities, bike repair facilities and retailers who generate the majority of their revenue from the sale of automobile or bike repair products;

• Hardware stores;

• Laundromats;

• Dry cleaning services.

The state is encouraging essential retailers to set designated hours for senior citizens or high-risk populations. Officials also are asking residents to limit outings and the number of people who travel on those outings.