Lujan Grisham to businesses: Failure to comply with order will result in 'civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance'
SANTA FE - Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham held a press conference on March 23 to announce that the novel coronavirus outbreak has infected at least 83 people in the state and that McKinley County is one of the counties that has two confirmed cases. Rehoboth McKinley Health Care Services confirmed today that a woman in her 50s tested positive for COVID-19.
Lujan Grisham said during Tuesday's press conference that gatherings should not exceed five people in number, and those gathered should stay six-feet apart from one another.
“The only way for us to stop the spread of this virus is for New Mexicans to stop interacting with each other,” Lujan Grisham said. “New Mexicans must be crystal-clear on this point: Right now, every time you leave your house, you are putting yourself, your family and your community at risk. Only by distancing from one another, by remaining home except for essential or emergency travel, can we limit the spread of this virus to the point that it does not overwhelm New Mexico."
This order does not change the status of state and local government operations. Previous orders exempted all persons necessary to maintain the operations of state and local governments. State government has already moved to a largely telework system; local government agencies are strongly encouraged to do the same. Post offices will remain open.
The non-essential business closure mandate remains in effect until April 10.Essential Businesses List
HEALTHCARE / PUBLIC HEALTH
Hospitals
Walk-in-care health facilities
Emergency veterinary and livestock services
Pharmacies
Medical and wholesale and distribution
Home health care workers or aides for the elderly
Emergency dental facilities
Nursing homes
Residential health care facilities
Research facilities
Congregate care facilities
Intermediate care facilities for those with intellectual or developmental disabilities
Supportive living homes
Home health care providers
Medical supplies and equipment manufacturers and providers
Medical cannabis
EMERGENCY SERVICES
Law enforcement personnel
First Responders
Firefighters
Emergency management personnel
Dispatch operators
Court personnel
CHILDCARE
Facilities necessary to provide services to those workers employed by essential businesses and essential non-profit entities.
INDIGENT CARE
Homeless shelters
Food banks
Other services providing care to indigent or needy populations
INFRASTRUCTURE OPERATIONS
Public works construction
Commercial and residential construction and maintenance
Utilities, including their contractors and suppliers, involved in water and waste-water supply
Sewer, trash and recycling collection, processing and disposal
Road and highway repair and construction
Solid waste collection and removal
Nuclear material research and enrichment
Data and internet providers
Data centers
Telecommunications systems
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
Farms, ranches and other food cultivation, processing or packaging operations
Grocery stores and supermarkets
All food and beverage stores
Food banks
Farmers’ markets
Vendors who sell food
Convenience stores
Other businesses that generate most of their revenue from the sale of canned food, dry goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, pet food, fresh meats, fish and poultry, and any other household consumer products
Businesses that store, ship or deliver groceries, food, goods or services directly to residences or retailers
Restaurants, but only for delivery or carryout
ENERGY
Gas and oil drilling and refining
Electrical production and distribution
Natural resources extraction or mining operations
Utilities, including their contractors and suppliers, engaged in power generation, fuel supply and transmission
MANUFACTURE
Food processing
Chemicals
Fertilizer
Pharmaceuticals
Sanitary products
Household paper products
Telecommunications
Microelectronics/semiconductors
Primary metals
Machinery
Electrical equipment
Appliance
Components
Transportation equipment
DEFENSE RESEARCH
Laboratories
Defense and national security-related operations supporting the U.S. government or a U.S. government contractor
TRANSPORTATION
Airport operations
Airlines
Taxis and other private transportation providers
Gas stations
Automobile repair facilities
Retailers who generate most of their revenue from the sale of automobile repair products
SERVICE SECTOR
Plumbers
Electricians
Security services
Custodial services
Other skilled trades necessary to maintaining the safety and sanitation of residences
Businesses providing mailing and shipping services, including post office boxes
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Legal services as necessary to assist in compliance with legally mandated activities
Accounting services as necessary to assist in compliance with legally mandated activities
FINANCIAL SERVICES
Banks
Credit unions
Insurance providers
Payroll services
Brokerage services
Investment management firms
MEDIA
Television
Radio
Newspaper operations
MISCELLANEOUS
Essential manufacturing
Laboratories and defense and national security-related operations supporting the U.S. government or a contractor to the U.S. government
Hardware stores, nurseries and businesses that generate most of their revenue from the sale of home-improvement goods
Laundromats and dry cleaner services
Funeral homes, crematoriums and cemeteries
Real estate services including brokers, title companies and related services
If you do not work at one of these businesses, Lujan Grisham says please “stay at home.”
