The Village of Ruidoso and the local tourism department is asking visitors and second homeowners to postpone travel to Ruidoso due to COVID-19. The fresh mountain air and outdoors might seem like the perfect place for social distancing but please follow the advice of health authorities and stay home to keep yourself and others safe.

Mayor Lynn Crawford has issued Executive Order 2020-04, providing clear direction on how the Village of Ruidoso Forestry Department will handle properties out of compliance during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Lincoln County officials, Village of Ruidoso officials, Emergency Managers, Fire & Law Enforcement from around the county, Lincoln County Medical Center, New Mexico Department of Health, Ruidoso Valley Chamber of Commerce, Ruidoso Municipal Schools, Hondo Schools, ENMU-Ruidoso, and Albertson’s Market, along with residents from across Lincoln County met via a Skype call hosted by Lincoln County officials and ENMU-Ruidoso on Thursday afternoon to provide updates on COVID-19 preparedness and response in Lincoln County.

A new NM public health emergency order, which will take effect Thursday, March 19, prohibits gatherings of more than 10 people and includes newly mandated closures and restrictions.

The New Mexico Department of Health asks all persons traveling into New Mexico from outside the state to self-isolate for 14 days and monitor themselves for any symptoms. If the individual has or develops any respiratory symptoms (cough, shortness of breath) or fever, they need to call 855-600-3453 and press option 2. Read the full guidelines here.

Mayor Lynn Crawford has issued Executive Order 2020-03, giving clear direction regarding the shut-off of utility customer accounts due to non-payment in an effort to mitigate risk to staff and the public during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Mayor Lynn Crawford has issued two Executive Orders in response to Coronavirus (COVID-19). Executive order 2020-01 gives direction regarding employee non-essential work-related travel and non-work-related travel. Executive Order 2020-02 accelerates remote-work initiatives and temporarily adjusts and suspends certain functions in order to minimize public health risks related to COVID-19.

The State of New Mexico is adjusting its business-loan guarantee programs in order to make capital more available to business owners whose operations are severely impacted by the COVID-19 health emergency.

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has declared a state of public health emergency as a result of the novel coronavirus disease (also known as COVID-19). In light of the Governor’s declaration, certain workers may be eligible for Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits.

SANTA FE – New Mexico Health Secretary Kathy Kunkel on Sunday announced she would strengthen the public health emergency order she issued Thursday, March 12, amending the restrictions on social gatherings to limit the incidence of COVID-19 in New Mexico.

The Village of Ruidoso continues to implement an emergency response protocol for the rapidly developing Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). The Village of Ruidoso has taken several steps to prepare the community and is working on contingency plans and addressing potential gaps in emergency services.

“At the direction of the Department of Health, we are taking steps to eliminate mass gatherings in the Village of Ruidoso. We continue to work closely with federal, state and county agencies to monitor the situation and will continue to provide updates to the public on our website and social media,” said Mayor Lynn Crawford.

The following public service announcement contains information, guidance, and recommendations for a public health response to the COVID-19 Coronavirus by the Village of Ruidoso, NM.

The Village of Ruidoso Street Department will be doing culvert maintenance on Monday, March 9 and Tuesday, March 10, 2020, between 8:00 am-5:00 pm. at the intersection of Wingfield and Center Street. Watch for street crews working, approach with caution. Seek alternative routes.

Ruidoso Parks and Recreation has launched a new online reservation system. Reserve campground space, ball courts, sports fields, and day-use facilities online. Browse and book today!

Mayor Lynn Crawford has issued the following official statement regarding the Village of Ruidoso’s preparedness with regards to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Beginning February 17, 2020, through February 20, 2020, at 6:00 pm until Midnight each day, the Village of Ruidoso will be performing maintenance on the main sewer lines on Mechem and Sudderth Drives. Please look for signs indicating which lane will be closed. Approach the area with caution at a very slow speed and watch for employees directing traffic.

Smokey Bear Ranger District Prescribed Fire: Beginning on January 29, 2020, and continuing through winter as conditions allow, fire officials will be pile burning in the Gavilan and Perk areas. Smoke will be visible from Ruidoso and surrounding communities.

Survey crews will continue to gather data for the Village of Ruidoso in the Upper Canyon, Midtown, and City of Ruidoso Downs areas to support the final design in the mitigation phase of the ongoing FEMA sewer line rehabilitation project. The survey work will continue through the end of January 2020, or longer depending on weather conditions. The crews will be in vehicles that will be clearly marked.

Fire managers on the Smokey Bear Ranger District of the Lincoln National Forest plan to implement the Perk Prescribed Burn starting January 14, 2020, and throughout the rest of winter, conditions permitting.The prescribed burn is located near the Cedar Creek Trail system (aka Trail 92) which is 3-4 miles from Ruidoso. Smoke may be visible from Ruidoso, Alto, Bonito, Ruidoso Downs, Hwy 48, Hwy 37, Hwy 70 and other nearby communities.