Stay-at-home order extended through April

The New Mexico Department of Health has extended its stay-at-home order to April 30 and added additional criteria on essential businesses in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The amended public health order, effective 8 a.m. Tuesday, instructs New Mexicans to stay at home except for emergency or essential outings, and non-essential businesses that had been ordered to close in-person operations must remain closed.

Added to the non-essential business category are automobile dealerships, payday lenders and liquor stores.

In a release, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham implored New Mexicans to continue to honor a social contract with the rest of the state.

“These orders are not friendly suggestions; heed them and protect yourselves, your families and your communities,” Lujan Grisham said. “If these directives are not heeded, further restrictions will be enacted. The difference between a worst-case scenario and a best-case scenario for our state depends on your actions and the actions of those around you. It is an enormous sacrifice to adjust our daily lives in this way — but it is one we must undertake in order to limit illness and death in our state.”

The state reported on Monday 686 positive cases of COVID-19, with deaths remaining at 12. So far, 133 of those people have recovered from the virus, and 48 people are currently hospitalized.

The following additional requirements have also been set in place to improve social distancing:

• All retail operations considered essential businesses shall limit customer numbers to 20% or less of maximum occupancy, as determined by the relevant fire marshal or fire department. Customers waiting outside are required to maintain a distance of at least six feet from other individuals and avoid person-to-person contact.

• Hotels, motels, RV parks, and other places of lodging shall not operate at more than 25% of maximum occupancy. The previous limit was 50%.

Businesses seeking clarity on essential or non-essential status may send inquiries to [email protected].

The state has made testing available to symptomatic people displaying COVID-19 symptoms of cough, fever or shortness of breath and asymptomatic people who are nursing home residents, people in congregant settings like homeless shelters or group homes or those who are in close contact with other New Mexico residents who have tested positive.

The state has two COVID-19 hotlines available — 855-600-3453 for medical questions and 833-551-0518 for any other questions.