Governor officially extends NMDOH Public Health Emergency order to April 30 - April 6, 2020
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham officially announced the renewal of the NMDOH Public Health Emergency through April 30, 2020, clarifying that current guidance documents, advisories, and Emergency Public Health Orders remain in effect; and amending the March 23, 2020, Public Health Emergency Order closing all businesses and non-profit entities except for those deemed essential and providing additional restrictions on mass gatherings due to COVID-19.
The purpose of this amended Public Health Emergency Order is to further restrict business operations and public gatherings to mitigate the spread of the Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (“COVID-19”). We have reached a crucial juncture at which stricter adherence to social distancing and self-isolation measures will be necessary to protect the integrity of our health care system against the potentially devastating effects that could result from a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases in New Mexico.
The overall message remains the same: New Mexicans continue to be instructed to stay at home except for emergency or essential outings. Non-essential businesses that had been ordered to close in-person operations must remain closed.
Additionally, all retail operations that are essential businesses – including grocery stores – must limit the amount of people in the store to 20 percent or less of the maximum allowed occupancy of the space, limiting person-to-person contact and slowing the spread of #COVID19.
When New Mexicans are not in their homes, they should strictly adhere to social distancing protocols to minimize risks. These sacrifices are the best contribution that each of us can individually make to protect the health and wellbeing of our fellow citizens and the State as a whole. In accordance with these purposes, this Order and its exceptions should be narrowly construed to encourage New Mexicans to stay in their homes for all but the most essential activities through April 30.
The NM DOH Executive Order of April 6, 2020 includes the following:
1. All current guidance documents and advisories issued by the Department of Health remain in effect.
2. The following Public Health Emergency Orders remain in effect through the current Public Health Emergency and any subsequent renewals of that Public Health Emergency or until they are amended or rescinded:
A. March 13, 2020 Public Health Emergency Order to Temporarily Limit Nursing Home Visitation Due to COVID-19;
B. March 24, 2020 Public Health Emergency Order Imposing Temporary Restrictions on Non-Essential Health Care Services, Procedures, and Surgeries; Providing Guidance on those Restrictions; and Requiring a Report from Certain Health Care Providers; and
C. March 24, 2020 Public Health Emergency Order Temporarily Regulating the Sale and Distribution of Personal Protective Equipment Due to Shortages Caused by COVID-19.
3. The March 23, 2020 Public Health Emergency Order Closing All Businesses and Non-Profit Entities Except for those Deemed Essential and Providing Additional Restrictions on Mass Gatherings Due to COVID-19 is hereby amended as ordered by the NMDOH Emergency Public Health Order issued on April 6, 2020.
Reports of non-compliance can be made to NMSP.COVID19@state.nm.us or to local non-emergency lines. The state of New Mexico will explore and put into use all mechanisms for enforcement. More information about the updated orders can be found here: https://bit.ly/34gG4zw
