County remains in turquoise in COVID risk assessment

Quay County landed in the turquoise zone – or best rating – in COVID-19 risk assessments Wednesday by the New Mexico Department of Health.

Final numbers of daily coronavirus cases per 100,000 people and test positivity rates hadn’t been posted on the DOH’s website Wednesday afternoon, but Human Services Secretary David Scrase during a weekly briefing revealed the map showing the latest two-week risk assessments.

Quay County’s turquoise rating for a second consecutive period gives it the most leeway for businesses to reopen to near-normal levels. A total of 13 counties were in the turquoise, which nearly doubled from the previous assessment period.

About two-thirds of the state’s counties landed in the turquoise or green zone during the latest assessments. No counties were in the red zone.

Harding County, because of one case reported earlier this week, went from the turquoise to yellow zone.

Guadalupe County, which was the only New Mexico county in the red zone during the previous assessment, improved to the green zone.

The next assessment will be on April 7.

Here are the health restrictions for counties in the turquoise zone, including Quay:

Essential businesses (non-retail): No capacity restrictions but operations must be limited to only those absolutely necessary to carry out essential functions;

Essential retail spaces: 75% of maximum capacity (indoor and outdoor);

Food and drink establishments (if NM Safe Certified): 75% of maximum capacity for indoor dining; 75% of maximum capacity for outdoor dining;

Close-contact businesses: 75% of maximum capacity; no restrictions on outdoor spaces;

Large entertainment venues: 33% of maximum capacity for any indoor/enclosed space on premises; 75% of any outdoor space on premises;

Recreational facilities: 50% of maximum capacity of any indoor/enclosed space on the premises; 75% of any outdoor space on premises;

Bars and clubs: 33% of maximum capacity of any indoor/enclosed space on premises; 75% of any outdoor space on premises, where applicable;

All other businesses: 75% of maximum capacity indoors; no restrictions on outdoor spaces;

Churches: May hold religious services, indoors or outdoors, or provide services through audiovisual means, but may not exceed 75% of the maximum capacity of any enclosed space on the premises;

Places of lodging: No maximum occupancy restrictions for those that have completed NM Safe Certified training; 50% of maximum occupancy for all others; 15 guests maximum for vacation rentals;

Mass gatherings limit: 150 persons, or 200 vehicles.