COVID-19 Coronavirus updates

In a press conference given today at 3:00 p.m., Governor Lujan-Grisham announced additional guidelines and restrictions to help limit the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.  Beginning tomorrow, Tuesday 25 March, at 8:00 a.m., ALL non-essential businesses will be closed.  In addition, gatherings of more than 5 people will be prohibited.  Only essential businesses are exempt from closure; these include health care facilities, emergency management facilities, and food distribution entities, such as grocery stores. You can view the complete list of exempt businesses on the New Mexico state government coronavirus update page. A copy of the press release is also attached.
 
The importance of at staying home and practicing social distancing during this critical period cannot be over-emphasized. Staying at home is the most effective tool we have for limiting exposure, decreasing the spread of the virus, and lowering the total number of cases in the community and the state.  When you must go out, for food or necessary services, maintain a minimum distance of 6 feet between individuals, refrain from gathering in groups of more than 5, and continue to wash hands and sanitize shared surfaces thoroughly. 
 
By staying at home and practicing social distancing, you not only help keep you and your family safe; you also help keep medical facilities from being over-whelmed with high numbers of infected individuals, and thus better able to effectively treat their patients. These practices also help keep health care providers, emergency personnel, and essential leadership staff, all of whom we depend on at this time, safe and healthy so that they can continue to perform their jobs well.