ORDER OUTLINES COVID-SAFE PRACTICES FOR AGRICULTURE

SANTA FE - New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a modified public health emergency order May 15 easing restrictions on retail operations, ordering New Mexico citizens to wear cloth face coverings in public, and proposing a series of requirements and best practices for businesses and other services.

The new emergency health order went into effect May 16 and will remain in effect through May 31.

Requirements and best COVID-safe practices  are outlined in the “All Together New Mexico: COVID-Safe Practices for Individuals and Employers” document. Agriculture-affiliated businesses and services addressed include the following:

Retail establishments providing essential goods and services

Restaurants and food services

Grocery stores and farmers’ markets

Manufacturing, warehouse and food production

Farmers, ranchers, dairy producers and processors

Veterinarians and pet care facilities

To view the CSP document in its entirety, visit https://cv.nmhealth.org/covid-safe-practices/.

“As we all navigate our way in dealing with a pandemic, New Mexico’s agriculture community continues to do what it can to help limit the spread of COVID-19,” New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture Jeff Witte said. “From farmers’ markets to ranches, and from processing facilities to farms, we as an industry are aiding New Mexico’s phased plan for a safe reopening by continuing to operate using COVID-safe practices.”

All required practices listed under the CSP document are legally enforceable if necessary. Additional industry-specific required practices will be added to the CSP document as needed.