New Mexico Health Secretary Kathy Kunkel issued an order Thursday temporarily prohibiting mass gatherings in New Mexico in response to COVID-19.
The public health order defines mass gatherings as events with 100 or more people in a single room or connected space like auditoriums, stadiums, arenas, conference centers and theaters. It does not apply to airports, other mass transit, shopping malls, shelters, retail and grocery stores, offices and businesses, courthouses, all educational institutions, child-care centers, health care facilities and other congregate care facilities and places of worship.
Weddings and funerals also are exempt.
Read SFR's list of local event changes here.
State health officials also are urging New Mexicans to:
- Avoid all non-essential travel to affected out-of-state areas; and exercise extreme caution with all out-of-state travel
- Remain home (“self-isolate”) if you are sick and call the Department of Health at 1-855-600-3453 if you are exhibiting any of the symptoms of COVID-19.
- Those symptoms include fever, cough or trouble breathing. Continue taking precautionary steps to protect your individual health, such as:
- Washing your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- Clean “high-touch” surfaces daily with regular household cleaners
- Avoid sharing personal household items
State health officials have identified five cases of COVID-19 as "presumptive positive," pending confirmation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The first four cases were ll are in individuals who recently travelled. One case is in Santa Fe County, two in Socorro and one in Bernalillo.