Your feedback ensures we stay focused on the facts that matter to you most—take our survey

Government responses to and political effects of the coronavirus pandemic, 2020 (New Mexico)

From Ballotpedia
Jump to: navigation, search


Scroll here for more articles
Documenting America's Path.png
Current coverage
Active COVID-19 emergency orders • Changes to emergency power laws • Federal government responses • Mask requirements • School policies in the 2021-2022 academic year • State vaccine requirement (vaccine passport) policies • State employee vaccine requirements • State plans to end federal unemployment • State unemployment filings • Travel restrictions • Vaccine distribution plans
Vaccines
School policies
Mask requirements
Federal pandemic responses
Travel restrictions
Elections
Economy and society
State policies
Debate about government responses
Click here to see our complete coronavirus coverage
Responses by state

Ballotpedia’s coverage of COVID-19 includes how federal, state, and local governments are responding, and how those responses are influencing election rules and operations, political campaigns, the economy, schools, and more.

This article contains coverage of eight kinds of state government responses to the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. The article tracks developments in these areas that took place between the start of the pandemic in March 2020 through Dec. 4, 2020. The government responses covered here include:

Additionally, the article includes:

To view current coverage areas, including mask requirements, school responses, travel restrictions, and much more, click a state in the map below.

Documenting_STATE%27s_path_to_recovery_from_the_coronavirus_(COVID-19)_pandemic,_2020-2021



Changes to election dates and procedures, March 16 through November 19

See also: Changes to election dates, procedures, and administration in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

General election changes

New Mexico modified its absentee/mail-in voting procedures for the November 3, 2020, general election as follows:

  • Absentee/mail-in voting: Absentee ballot applications were sent to all registered voters in the general election.

For a full timeline about election modifications made in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, click here.

Primary election changes

New Mexico made no changes to its primary election.

For a full timeline about election modifications made in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, click here.

Click the gray bar below for more detailed information.


Statewide stay-at-home order, March 23 through December 4

See also: States with shelter-in-place and stay-at-home orders in response to coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

On March 23, Kathyleen Kunkel, the Cabinet Secretary for the New Mexico Department of Health, issued a Public Health Emergency Order, which directed individuals in the state to stay at home unless performing essential activities and placed restrictions on non-essential businesses.[2] The order was originally set to expire on April 10. On April 23, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) extended the order through May 15.[3] On May 13, Gov. Lujan Grisham extended the state's stay-at-home order again through May 31.[4] The order was extended again on June 1 through June 30, on July 1 through July 15, on July 13 through July 30, on July 30 through August 28, on August 28 through September 18, on September 18 through October 16, on October 16 through November 13, and on November 16 through November 30.[5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]

The New Mexico Department of Health released a list of essential businesses and industries that would be permitted to remain open under the order. The information below lists those businesses and industries.[13]

“

Businesses deemed essential that may remain open are:

  • Health care operations including hospitals, walk-in-care health facilities, emergency veterinary and livestock services, pharmacies, medical 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, and medical supplies and equipment manufacturers and providers;
  • Homeless shelters, food banks, and other services providing care to indigent or needy populations;
  • Childcare facilities necessary to provide services to those workers employed by essential businesses and essential non-profit entities;
  • Grocery stores, all food and beverage stores, supermarkets, food banks, farmers’ markets and vendors who sell food, convenience stores, and other businesses that generate the majority of their revenue from the sale of canned food, dry goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, pet food, feed, and other animal supply stores, fresh meats, fish, and poultry, and any other household consumer products;
  • Farms, ranches, and other food cultivation, processing, or packaging operations;
  • All facilities used by law enforcement personnel, first responders, firefighters, emergency management personnel, dispatch operators, and court personnel.
  • Infrastructure operations including, but not limited to, public works construction; commercial and residential facility construction and maintenance; airport operations; public transportation; airlines; taxis; private transportation providers; water, sewer, trash and recycling collection, processing and disposal; gas; electrical; oil drilling; oil refining; natural resources extraction or mining operations; nuclear material research and enrichment; those attendant to the repair and construction of roads and highways; solid waste collection and removal; processing and disposal; data and internet providers; data centers; and telecommunications systems;
  • Manufacturing operations involved in food processing, manufacturing agents, chemicals, fertilizer, pharmaceuticals, sanitary products, household paper products, telecommunications, microelectronics/semi-conductor, primary metals manufacturers, machinery manufacturers, electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturers, and transportation equipment manufacturers;
  • Services necessary to maintain the safety and sanitation of residences or essential businesses including security services, custodial services, plumbers, electricians, and other skilled trades;
  • Media services including television, radio, and newspaper operations;
  • Gas stations, automobile repair facilities, and retailers who generate the majority of their revenue from the sale of automobile repair products;
  • Hardware stores;
  • Laundromats and dry cleaner services;
  • Utilities, including their contractors and suppliers, engaged in power generation, fuel supply and transmission, water and wastewater supply;
  • Funeral homes, crematoriums and cemeteries;
  • Banks, credit unions, insurance providers, payroll services, brokerage services, and investment management firms;
  • Real estate services including brokers, title companies, and related services.
  • Businesses providing mailing and shipping services, including post office boxes;
  • Laboratories and defense and national security-related operations supporting the United States government or a contractor to the United States government;
  • Restaurants, but only for delivery or carry out and local breweries or distilleries but only for carry out;
  • Professional services, such as legal or accounting services, but only where necessary to assist in compliance with legally mandated activities; and
  • Logistics and businesses that store, ship or deliver groceries, food, goods or services directly to residences or retailers.

[14]

”

Executive orders, March 30 through June 29

See also: Executive orders issued by governors and state agencies in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020


Court closures, March 17 through November 4

See also: State court closures in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020
  • May 29, 2020: The New Mexico Supreme Court announced that civil and jury trials could recommence between June 15 and July 15.[15]
  • May 15, 2020: The New Mexico Supreme Court issued an order that requires the use of face masks in courts.[16]
  • April 16, 2020: The New Mexico Supreme Court extended the suspension of jury trials through May 29. In their order, the court announced that they would limit the number of people to no more than 15 in courtrooms and other locations in the courthouse to promote social distancing. They further ordered judges to conduct civil and criminal proceedings remotely via video or phone conferences, except in cases where an emergency appearance was required.[17]
  • March 24, 2020: The New Mexico Supreme Court ordered all judges to conduct civil and criminal proceedings by video and teleconference, except in cases where an emergency in-person appearance is required.[18]
  • March 15, 2020: New Mexico Supreme Court Chief Justice Judith Nakamura said that the state's judicial system would remain open.[19]

Legislative session changes, March 20 through October 1

See also: Changes to state legislative session dates in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

The New Mexico State Legislature adjourned its regular session on February 20, 2020. The legislature convened a special session on June 18, 2020. The special session adjourned on June 22, 2020.

Proposed and enacted legislation, March 25 through August 19

See also: State laws in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

See below for a complete list of bills related to the coronavirus pandemic in New Mexico. To learn more about a particular bill, click its title. This information is provided by BillTrack50 and LegiScan.

Rent, mortgage, eviction, and foreclosure policies, April 9 through November 24

See also: Changes to rent, mortgage, eviction, and foreclosure policies in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020


  • March 24, 2020: The New Mexico Supreme Court ordered a temporary moratorium on evictions for tenants unable to pay rent during the coronavirus pandemic. Tenants needed to demonstrate to the court their inability to pay rent.[20]

Prison inmate release responses, March 30 through July 1

See also: State and local governments that released prison inmates in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020


Debate in New Mexico over responses to the coronavirus

See also: Debate in New Mexico over responses to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

Ballotpedia is covering the debate over continuing restrictions and closures in New Mexico in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Click on the links below to read more about these debates.

Status of industries, May 15 through July 31

Between May 15 and July 31, we conducted detailed tracking of industries and activities in each state daily.

  • "Yes" means an activity was allowed or an industry was permitted to open. "No" means an activity was not allowed or an industry was not permitted to reopen.
  • Some rules were applied regionally rather than statewide. Each cell shows the loosest restriction in place at the time, or the broadest level of an activity permitted in the state, even if that activity was only permitted regionally. Where applicable, we indicated that an activity was only permitted regionally, and provided details in a cell note. For example, if gyms were permitted to open in half of a state, the spreadsheet would say "Yes (regionally)," and differences between the regions would be explained in a note.
  • A lack of detail in a note or parentheses does not necessarily mean that an activity or industry was "back to normal." We did our best to capture caveats, exceptions, and modifications to activities. We acknowledge, though, that states put forth a large number of requirements for many industries and activities.

Initial reopening plan from March and April 2020 closures

New Mexico released an initial reopening plan from March and April 2020 closures on April 30, 2020. An analysis of this plan appeared in our Documenting America's Path to Recovery newsletter on May 19. The sections below include an analysis of the plan, the details of the plan, and reactions from officials to the plan.

Summary from Documenting America's Path to Recovery

See also: Documenting America's Path to Recovery: May 19, 2020

On April 30, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) unveiled New Mexico's phased reopening plan, each phase of which gradually relaxes restrictions imposed on individuals and businesses by the state's original stay-at-home order. Grisham said, "The best defense against this virus, until there is a vaccine, is physical distance from other people. We know those who are infected do not always show symptoms, and we know the virus does not care about county lines; we must all be vigilant. The progress we have made is tenuous – and it is subject to change. But when we reach a place, as we have, where our collective actions have begun to flatten the statewide curve, we can begin to make productive, safe decisions about alleviating some of the awful social and economic pressure this virus has brought down on us all. Today we are willing and able to do that." The plan established the following criteria for moving from one phase to another.

  • Reduced virus spread (initial target: 1.15 transmission rate).
  • Testing capacity for both general and targeted populations (initial target: 3,000 tests per day).
  • Timely contact tracing and isolation protocols (initial target: 24 hours from time of positive test result to isolation recommendation for case; 36 hours from positive test result for quarantine recommendation for case contacts).
  • Statewide healthcare system capacity (initial target: availability of general beds, ICU beds, and ventilators; 14-day supply of personal protective equipment).

Grisham said she would make decisions about advancing from one stage to the next in 2-3 week intervals. The criteria will be applied both to the state as a whole and to the state's five health regions. Certain regions may not be permitted to move from one stage to another if they do not meet criteria. Regions and localities are not permitted to advance to subsequent stages ahead of the rest of the state.

Context

  • New Mexico's original stay-at-home order was issued on March 23. It was initially set to expire on April 10. The order was subsequently extended, first through April 30, then through May 15, and, most recently, through May 31.
  • As of May 18, there had been 6,096 confirmed COVID-19 cases in New Mexico and 270 confirmed fatalities. For every 100,000 residents, that amounts to 290.7 confirmed cases and 12.9 confirmed fatalities.
  • New Mexico is a Democratic trifecta. Democrats hold the governorship and majorities in both chambers of the state legislature.

Plan details

The Preparation Phase and Phase One have been implemented, to varying extents, via executive orders. Subsequent phases are outlined in Grisham's April 30 reopening plan. All restrictions are subject to change by executive order. On May 15, the state released a guidebook outlining best practices for both individuals and employers. The following requirements apply to all employers:

  • Conduct work remotely to the greatest extent possible.
  • Arrange workspaces to provide for six feet of distance between individuals wherever possible.
  • Meetings should occur remotely whenever possible.
  • Employees must wear face coverings at all times when in the presence of others.
  • Employees must be trained in daily cleaning and disinfection processes.
  • Employees must be screened for COVID-19 symptoms upon entering the workplace each day. Employees showing symptoms must be sent home.
  • Employees who have had known close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 cannot return to work until cleared by the state department of health.
  • Non-essential travel should be minimized to the greatest extent possible.

Preparation Phase (effective May 1 through May 16) * Individuals:

    • All individuals instructed to remain at home, except to carry out essential activities.
    • Gatherings of more than 5 people prohibited.
  • Businesses:
    • Closed: non-essential retailers and workplaces; dine-in service at restaurants and bars; indoor malls; gyms; salons; theaters; and casinos.
      • Non-essential retailers permitted to operate via curbside and delivery services.
    • Open: essential retailers; state parks; golf courses; pet services; and gun stores (by appointment only).

Phase One (effective May 16 through May 31) * Individuals:

    • All individuals instructed to remain at home, except to carry out essential activities.
    • Face coverings required of everyone in public.
    • Gatherings of more than 5 people prohibited.
  • Businesses:
    • Reopening: retailers at 25% capacity; non-essential workplaces at 25% staffing levels; places of worship at 25% capacity.
    • Closed: gyms; salons; indoor malls; tattoo parlors; dine-in service at restaurants and bars; massage parlors; theaters; and casinos.

Phase Two (early June target date) * Individuals:

    • Vulnerable individuals instructed to remain at home.
    • Face covering requirements unspecified.
    • Gatherings restricted (limited, unspecified).
  • Businesses:
    • Reopening: Theaters, bars, and casinos (at unspecified capacity limits).

Phase Three (early July target date) * Individuals:

    • Vulnerable individuals instructed to practice social distancing.
    • Face covering requirements unspecified.
    • Gatherings of more than 100 people prohibited.
  • Businesses:
    • Reopening: concerts and spectator sports (at unspecified capacity limits)

Reactions

  • In a May 13 statement, the New Mexico Republican Party said, "First and foremost, [the New Mexico Republican Party] has always made New Mexicans’ health and safety the top priority and has argued that social distancing can be practiced at small businesses. Now it seems the governor finally recognizes that, but too many New Mexicans have suffered from financial damage and personal pain. Local economies and livelihoods will continue to crash. It seems each day businesses are folding or are poised to shutter their doors. Industries are dying, businesses are crumbling and hope is withering. The governor, as an attorney, should know that equity, justice and fairness should be the goal of government."
  • Marg Elliston, chair of the New Mexico Democratic Party, said, "We’re proud to see that Governor Lujan Grisham continues to take a science-based approach to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to her steady and prudent leadership, New Mexico has successfully begun to flatten our curve and we’re able to safely reopen the small businesses that are the backbone of our economy. Throughout this crisis, our statewide leaders have been working to balance the public health and economic impacts of this crisis so that New Mexico can come through it as safely and successfully as possible."
  • George Gundrey, who owns restaurants in Santa Fe and Albuquerque, said the following, referring to a proposed date for reopening restaurants: "She said May 15 before and some restaurants planned on that. I’m very disappointed. What else is there to say? Disappointing is the lack of clarity, early June. She’s moving the goalposts. It’s going to be devastating for the Santa Fe economy and workforce."
  • Dr. David R. Scrase, Secretary of the New Mexico Human Services Department, said, "A political divide has emerged between those whose top priority is reopening the economy and those whose top priority is saving lives. The good news is that adopting COVID-19 safe practices supports the goals of both. ...I support both groups fully. But let’s go slowly and deliberately, thoughtfully reviewing the data from one step before we move to the next. And let’s remember that because this deadly virus has no politics, we should resist the temptation to think that our methods for fighting it should have politics. Wearing a face covering and keeping our distance are two new evidence-based ways we fight this virus together and express our concern for both our economy and each other’s health and safety."

Coronavirus resources

Click the links below to explore official resources related to the coronavirus outbreak.

State resources

Twitter feeds for government officials and agencies appear below.

Federal resources

See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Office of the Governor of New Mexico, "Governor establishes Civil Rights Commission; signs election protections, solvency measures into law," June 26, 2020
  2. ↑ [https://www.governor.state.nm.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/COVID-19-DOH-Order-fv.pdf New Mexico Department of Health', "Public Health Emergency Order Closing All Businesses and Non-Profit Entities Except for Those Deemed Essential and Providing Additional Restrictions on Mass Gatherings Due to COVID-19", March 23, 2020
  3. ↑ The Hill, "New Mexico governor extends stay-at-home order: 'We're not ready to ease up,'" April 23, 2020
  4. ↑ UPI, "New Mexico extends stay-at-home order as several states move to reopen," May 14, 2020
  5. ↑ New Mexico Department of Health, "State extends emergency public health order," July 1, 2020
  6. ↑ New Mexico Department of Health, "Public Health Order," June 1, 2020
  7. ↑ Office of the Governor, "PUBLIC HEALTH ORDER NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CABINET SECRETARY KATHYLEEN M. KUNKEL," accessed July 16, 2020
  8. ↑ Office of the Governor, "PUBLIC HEALTH ORDER NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CABINET SECRETARY KATHYLEEN M. KUNKEL," July 30, 2020
  9. ↑ Office of the Governor, "PUBLIC HEALTH ORDER NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CABINET SECRETARY KATHYLEEN M. KUNKEL," July 30, 2020
  10. ↑ Office of the Governor, "PUBLIC HEALTH ORDER NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CABINET SECRETARY KATHYLEEN M. KUNKEL," September 18, 2020
  11. ↑ Office of the Governor, "PUBLIC HEALTH ORDER NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CABINET SECRETARY KATHYLEEN M. KUNKEL," October 16, 2020
  12. ↑ Office of the Governor, "PUBLIC HEALTH ORDER NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ACTING SECRETARY BILLY J. JIMENEZ," November 16, 2020
  13. ↑ New Mexico Department of Health', "I’m not sure if my business needs to close due to the State’s COVID-19 directives—what additional guidance is there?," accessed March 26, 2020
  14. ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  15. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Jun1
  16. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named May18
  17. ↑ IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO, "IN THE MATTER OF UPDATED PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES FOR COURT OPERATIONS IN THE NEW MEXICO JUDICIARY DURING THE COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY," accessed April 29, 2020
  18. ↑ National Center for State Courts, "Coronavirus and the Courts - March 24, 2020," March 24, 2020
  19. ↑ Las Cruces Sun-News, "State courts to remain open, despite other coronavirus closures," March 15, 2020
  20. ↑ KRQE, "New Mexico Supreme Court halts eviction orders in landlord-tenant cases," March 24, 2020
v • e
Political responses to the coronavirus pandemic, 2020-2021
OverviewsCOVID-19.jpg
Articles by Type
Federal policy responses • State government responses • Local government responses • Diagnosed or quarantined incumbents, candidates, and officials • State legislative session changes • State legislative responses • State executive orders • Eviction and foreclosure policies • Travel restrictions • School responses (2021-2022) • School responses (2020-2021) • School responses (2019-2020) • State court closures • Stay-at-home order status • States that issued stay-at-home orders • States that did not issue stay-at-home orders • Changes to ballot measure campaigns and policies • Changes to vote-by-mail and absentee voting procedures • Initial key federal official responses • Arguments in support of and opposition to government responses • Lawsuits • Multistate agreements • Non-governmental plans to reopen • Unemployment filings • Analysis articles • Paycheck Protection Program • Mask requirements • School budget changes • State budgets • Federal definitions of essential and nonessential businesses • Federal aid to states • Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) program • State emergency power authority • Changes to state emergency power authority • Municipal emergency power authority • Halloween guidelines • Vaccine distribution plans • State plans to end federal unemployment • Changes to emergency power laws • Active COVID-19 emergency orders • State vaccine requirement (vaccine passport) policies • Recalls related to the pandemic • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance on school responses to the coronavirus • State employee vaccine requirements • Healthcare worker vaccine requirements
State responses to coronavirus
State paths to recovery
State school responses
Coronavirus debate topics
Coronavirus debate by state
Flag of New Mexico
v • e
State of New Mexico
Santa Fe (capital)
Elections

What's on my ballot? | Elections in 2025 | How to vote | How to run for office | Ballot measures

Government

Who represents me? | U.S. President | U.S. Congress | Federal courts | State executives | State legislature | State and local courts | Counties | Cities | School districts | Public policy

Retrieved from "https://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=Government_responses_to_and_political_effects_of_the_coronavirus_pandemic,_2020_(New_Mexico)&oldid=8251454"