COVID-19
This new page on the Beat, as of March 18, 2020, will be dedicated to news on COVID-19 as we receive it. Some articles in front page news, in legal notices, columns, in sports, in editorials or letters to the editor, as well as in local and non-local news releases may also pertain to COVID-19. So please look at all pages in the Beat for ongoing news.
WASHINGTON, June 3, 2020 – USDA Rural Development has taken a number of immediate actions to help rural residents, businesses and communities affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. Rural Development will keep our customers, partners and stakeholders continuously updated as more actions are taken to better serve rural America.
View the full stakeholder announcement.
Socorro, N.M. – As the effects of the economic downturn due to the COVID-19 virus continue to devastate our state's workforce, organizations that provide civil legal resources to those in need are seeing a huge uptick in requests for guidance.
Civil legal service providers are nonprofits and organizations that help people navigate the legal system on civil matters. In criminal cases, everyone is entitled to an attorney, but not in civil cases, in which legal representation is not a right.
The New Mexico Commission on Access to Justice is sending out an alert to let people know that civil legal services are available to those in need, and that the state is facing a wave of new cases due to people losing jobs and income.
In difficult economic times, people have trouble paying rent and making house payments. While some lenders are allowing homeowners to delay payments, lawyers at United South Broadway Corporation are anticipating a 30 percent increase in foreclosure case filings, many of which will involve income-eligible clients.
Amended emergency public health order effective June 1
SANTA FE – New Mexico's emergency public health order has been extended and amended to permit indoor dining, hair salons, gyms and indoor shopping malls to reopen on a limited basis and in accordance with required COVID-Safe Practices, among other changes.
Restaurants may resume indoor seating at 50 percent maximum occupancy effective Monday, June 1. Bar and counter seating are still prohibited; to be served, customers must be seated at tables positioned at least 6 feet apart, per the amended emergency public health order, among other required and recommended COVID-Safe Practices.
One-Stop Clearinghouse for Local, State, and Federal COVID-19 Response Information
GrantCountyCoronavirusUpdate.org is a new Grant County community website that provides a one-stop clearinghouse for trusted local, state and federal information and resources to help keep you, your family and our community safe during the COVID-19 pandemic and to help you find resources to get you through the economic fallout.
The website provides a compilation of information and resources on COVID-19 health and response information -- from how to protect yourself and your family from exposure to the coronavirus to financial assistance programs available to you, your business or nonprofit.
HMS will be expanding its COVID-19 testing in both Hidalgo and Grant counties to include asymptomatic testing for HMS patients, employees, local employers, and the general public. This expanded testing will be a two-phased approach. Phase I will begin on Monday, June 1 and scheduled testing will occur at both the Lordsburg Main Clinic as well as the Silver City CHC, via a drive-up testing approach. Testing is done through appointment by calling HMS 1-888-271-3596. Lordsburg clinic testing days include weekdays except for Thursday and Silver City testing days include weekdays except for Tuesday.
Video messages say coverings can help fight COVID-19
SANTA FE – New Mexico mayors, in coordination with Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, have recorded video messages urging residents to wear simple cloth face masks in public to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.
Mayors Dan Barrone of Taos, Sam Cobb of Hobbs, Lynn Crawford of Ruidoso, Tim Keller of Albuquerque, Michael Morris of Clovis and Alan Webber of Santa Fe recorded the messages to support the governor's May 15 order requiring everyone to wear face masks in public unless eating, drinking or exercising or unless someone has a medical exemption.
"I'm grateful for the leadership of mayors from New Mexico communities large and small, rural and urban, north and south in supporting this simple but effective way to minimize the spread of COVID-19 as we gradually and safely reopen the economy," Gov. Lujan Grisham said.
Statewide competition to highlight New Mexicans' creative face-coverings
SANTA FE – The Office of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Thursday announced that the first round of voting has opened for New Mexico Mask Madness, a statewide competition intended to highlight the creativity and artistic ability of New Mexicans amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
New Mexicans can cast a vote for their favorite masks once a day online here.
Seeding-round voting will be open through the end of Wednesday, June 3. The top vote-getters will be seeded into brackets and New Mexicans will be able to vote for their favorite mask in each match up until a champion is crowned – and a prize is awarded to the best mask in New Mexico!
Amended emergency public health order effective June 1
SANTA FE – New Mexico's emergency public health order will be extended and amended to permit indoor dining, hair salons, gyms and indoor shopping malls to reopen next week on a limited basis and in accordance with required COVID-Safe Practices, among other changes, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Thursday.
Restaurants, which were allowed to offer limited outdoor dining on Wednesday, may resume indoor seating at 50 percent maximum occupancy effective Monday, June 1. Bar and counter seating are still prohibited; to be served, customers must be seated at tables positioned at least 6 feet apart, per the amended emergency public health order, among other required and recommended COVID-Safe Practices.
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