Enchantment State News

After a worsening spike in COVID-19 cases, New Mexico recently issued a shelter-in-place order reminiscent of the state’s original shutdown to last through Thanksgiving.

The emergency public health order began Nov. 16 and will last for two weeks through Nov. 30, according to a press release from the state detailing the new order.

“Without the compliance and cooperation of New Mexicans statewide, we do not need to imagine the bleak public health calamity we will face – the images from El Paso the last few weeks, from New York City earlier this year, and from Europe at the outset of the pandemic will be our fate in New Mexico. But we can prevent this,” said Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham in the press release. “These warnings are intended to inform, not alarm.”

The order comes as authorities say hospitals are reaching capacity, according to the press release. In the last four weeks, hospitalizations from COVID-19 in New Mexico have risen at least 214%. Over the past two weeks, 182 deaths have been attributed to COVID-19.

“The rate of spread and the emergency within our state hospitals are clear indicators that we cannot sustain the current situation without significant interventions to modify individual behavior,” Grisham said in the press release. “We had hoped targeted crackdowns, limited hours of operation and amplified messaging and enforcement would make the difference and slow the spread and relieve our hospitals. The public health data make clear, however, that more aggressive restrictions are not only warranted but essential if we are to prevent mass casualties.”

Except essential trips including those for food and water, emergency medical care, to obtain a flu shot or to obtain a test for COVID-19, New Mexicans are ordered to stay home.

As before, businesses deemed essential may remain open with skeleton crew operations. Those businesses include grocery stores, pharmacies, shelters, child care facilities, gas stations and infrastructure operations. Any business in violation will face a fine of up to $5,000 a day, in accordance with a state law authorizing the secretary of health to issue emergency public health orders.

“There are simple steps each of us can and must take,” Grisham said. “Stay at home. Wear your mask if you must go out. Do not gather with non-household members. Wash or sanitize your hands frequently. Make plans for a different kind of Thanksgiving – one without non-household members. Please, take every necessary precaution to protect yourself, your family, your community and your state. If we do that, we will be able to resume more day-to-day activities soon, and more importantly we will save the lives of hundreds of New Mexicans.”