Restrictions bearing down

CLOVIS - With new state COVID-19 restrictions in place for at least the next two weeks, the impact is already being seen in businesses closed or limited in service, and local holiday traditions being pushed to next year.

Between Saturday and Monday, eastern New Mexico saw three more COVID-19 deaths. Curry County's 15th death was a woman in her 80s reported Monday. Roosevelt County reached 12 COVID-19 deaths as two men in their 50s were reported, one Saturday and one Monday. All three were hospitalized and had underlying conditions.

Monday saw the state report 1,259 new COVID-19 cases, with 40 in Curry County and 10 in Roosevelt County.

During a city of Clovis press conference Monday, Mayor Mike Morris said just over halfway into November the county had seen 667 new cases, compared to 779 in all of October.

Jorge Cruz, interim administrator at Plains Regional Medical Center, said as of Monday the hospital was at 50% capacity, with 27 COVID-19 patients and five of them in intensive care.

Tuesday morning saw the Clovis Police Department cancel its annual "Shop With a Cop" event. The CPD, Chief Doug Ford said, had held off planning the event in hopes the pandemic situation would improve.

Ford stated in a release the department fully understands the disappointment the cancellation will cause, but stressed that going forward would be the wrong decision.

"Not only would we be placing the officers, volunteers, children and families at risk of exposure," Ford said, "(but) we would be setting an example to the community to disregard safe shopping practices set forth to reduce the spread of this virus."

Cannon Air Force Base Commander Col. Robert Masaitis also weighed in through a letter to the Clovis/Curry County Chamber of Commerce.

"I am asking for the Chamber of Commerce's assistance in taking a proactive stance and encouraging its members to adopt the state's published COVID-Safe Practices," Masaitis wrote. "I understand these measures pose a hardship on or community and business owners but continued operations without them create an environment of unacceptable risk to Cannon's personnel, families, and mission."

Masaitis said that as a base their personnel is required to maintain a high state of readiness, and that he is "considering temporarily designating local businesses and establishments off limits to Cannon personnel," if businesses are not following health and safety orders.

"As there is no magic Coronavirus barrier at the gates of Cannon AFB, our mission is directly tied to the health of our local community," Masaitis wrote. "Now more than ever, we are all in this together."

Leal's Mexican Food Restaurant announced on Monday it was taking the voluntary step of closing its Mabry Street location until Dec. 1. The franchise had already opted to sell its building on Prince Street, and in a Facebook post said the two-week closure was deemed necessary to ensure the health and safety of its employees and customers.

The impacts of the new restrictions have been clear at big box stores, which are now facing occupancy limits of 75 customers.

Customers waiting in line outside to enter the Clovis Walmart on Monday declined specific comments to The News, but were largely critical of the restrictions.

Pursuant to the state's most recent health order updates, on Monday city government facilities in both Clovis and Portales have closed their buildings to the public. Their services are still available by phone, mail, or email. Animal adoptions through Clovis and Portales' animal control departments are on an appointment-only basis, and the Portales department is working on a Facebook platform to facilitate pet adoption.

Clovis Area Transit System is remaining open, but is asking riders to only book essential trips, like medical care or grocery shopping.

Editor Kevin Wilson contributed to this report.