Re-openings begin as New Mexico reduces restrictions
CIBOLA COUNTY, N.M. — New Mexico finally reached a positive point in the fight against COVID-19. March of 2020 was the beginning of the struggles that Cibola has had to endure. Businesses across the county were forced to close their doors, jobs were labeled “essential” or “nonessential,” masks became the hottest accessory of 2020, and life as the community knew it changed drastically. Almost one year after the coronavirus began ravaging the county, taking with it 104 Cibola residents, the county and the state are rounding a corner.
“I know New Mexicans are tired of COVID-19 — I am too,” said New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.
“We have made very solid progress in recent weeks and months, and we have together saved lives and protected our family members and neighbors. We have to keep it up. We’ve seen what happens when we ease up too quickly or let our guard down all at once — our hospitals fill back up and more New Mexicans lose their lives. We can and we must keep making safe choices in our day-today lives. We can introduce a little more risk, based on our progress, and start to feel a little bit closer to normal — but only if we keep making those safe choices to protect our families and one another. I know New Mexicans are up to the task.”
Governor Lujan Grisham announced on Feb. 24 that the state was altering the “Red-to-Green” model it had established for re-opening counties. The administration added a new “turquoise” level to the chart, just below green, that allows for a significant reopening of a county. According to state officials, re-openings are dependent on the spread of COVID-19 in the specific county.
As the vaccine rollout continues across the state, counties in higher levels on the chart will also be allowed to reopen to a greater degree, including larger entertainment venues, like some movie theaters, and state parks.
Turquoise level:
Turquoise level has high goals and limited restrictions. The governor’s office specified those goals, “no greater than eight cases per 100,000 inhabitants during the most recent fourweek period, and an average percent of positive COVID-19 test results over the most recent four-week period less than or equal to five percent.”
For reference, Cibola County’s recent average percentage of positive results was 17.6 percent.
`Turquoise’ means:
• Essential businesses (non-retail): No capacity restrictions but operations must be limited to only those necessary to carry out essential functions.
• Essential retail spaces: 75 percent of maximum capacity (indoor and outdoor)
• Food and drink establishments that are NM Safe Certified: 75 percent of maximum capacity for indoor dining; 75 percent of maximum capacity for outdoor dining
• Large entertainment venues: 33 percent of maximum capacity for any indoor/enclosed space on premises; 75 percent in any outdoor space on premises • Recreational facilities: 50 percent of maximum capacity of any indoor/enclosed space on the premises; 75 percent of any outdoor space on premises
• Mass gatherings limit: 150 persons, or 200 vehicles
What else is changing?
Restrictions are changing for red, yellow, and green counties; little will change for red counties other than non-retail essential business can operate with no capacity restrictions.
Yellow level updates:
Counties like Cibola, have updated restrictions:
• Essential businesses (non-retail): No capacity restrictions but operations must be limited to only those absolutely necessary to carry out essential functions
• Essential retail spaces: 33 percent of maximum capacity (indoor and outdoor)
• Food and drink establishments if NM Safe Certified: 33 percent of maximum capacity for indoor dining; 75 percent of maximum capacity for outdoors dining; any establishment serving alcohol must close by 10 p.m. each night
• Large entertainment venues: 25 percent of maximum capacity of any outdoor space on premises; indoor not permitted with the limited exception of operating up to 25 percent of maximum capacity for recording and broadcasting entertainment without any in-person audience
• Recreational facilities: 33 percent of any outdoor space on the premises; indoor not permitted
• Mass gatherings limit: 10 persons; 80 vehicles
Green level updates:
• Essential businesses (non-retail): No capacity restrictions but operations must be limited to only those absolutely necessary to carry out essential functions
• Essential retail spaces: 50 percent of maximum capacity (indoor and outdoor)
• Food and drink establishments if NM Safe Certified: 50 percent of maximum capacity for indoor dining; 75 percent of maximum capacity for outdoor dining
• Close-contact businesses: 50 percent of maximum capacity (indoor and outdoor)
• Large entertainment venues: 25 percent of maximum capacity for any indoor/enclosed space on premises; 50 percent of any outdoor space on premises
• Mass gatherings limit: 20 persons, 120 vehicles
The governor’s comments:
Governor Lujan Grisham expressed pride about the state’s success almost one year into the pandemic.
“I know that not every frustration is over, I know that not every question or hesitation is resolved, but it should feel like it’s happening much faster now than it has over the past year,” commented the governor.
Governor Lujan Grisham cautioned New Mexicans to practice vigilance as more people become vaccinated. Both the governor and health officials warned that the coronavirus can still travel with vaccinated people because it may cause asymptomatic illness, so it is important to continue wearing masks.
New Mexico continues to vaccinate its citizens and the state is beginning to reopen from the tragic year of shutdowns, according to officials.
“We are succeeding at managing the virus,” Governor Lujan Grisham said.