Restrictions eased for restaurants, hotels, certain business travel among other changes for tourism sector

On Thursday, May 28, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced the details of the amended public health order that eased several restrictions for the tourism industry. The amended public health order officially went into effect today (June 1, 2020). Below are the key changes regarding tourism businesses:

Hotels & Lodging

The amended public health order permits hotels to operate at 50% maximum occupancy. The provision that allows for health care workers staying in hotels or for people staying in hotels for self-quarantine to not be counted in determining maximum occupancy is still in effect.

The amended public health order also removes the restriction on out-of-state guests for short-term vacation rentals.

Restaurants

The amended public health order permits restaurants to offer dine-in service at 50% maximum occupancy.

Bars are not permitted to operate other than curbside service under applicable licenses.

Retail

Retail businesses must still operate to permit 25% of maximum occupancy as determined by relevant fire marshal or fire department.

The amended public health order allowed for indoor shopping malls to operate at 25% maximum occupancy as determined by relevant fire marshal or fire department. Food courts within indoor shopping malls must remain closed.

Salons, spas and gyms

The amended public health order allowed for salons, spas, gyms and related services to operate according to COVID-Safe Practices.

Air Travel

Individuals who travel to the state of New Mexico by air are still required to self-quarantine for 14 days or for the duration of their time in New Mexico. However, Executive Order 2020-037 which was signed alongside the amended public health order, provides several exemptions to the self-quarantine requirement that allows for certain business travel:

• airline employees on travel for work
• Individuals performing public safety or public health functions
• Emergency first responders
• Health care workers
• Military personnel
• Individuals employed by a federal agency or national defense contractor
• Individuals arriving to New Mexico pursuant to a court order
• Individuals traveling into New Mexico to conduct business activities

Read the Amended Public Health Order

COVID-19 SAFE PRACTICES

On Friday, May 15, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham unveiled sector-specific COVID-Safe Practices, or CSPs. The Governor's Office has identified universal CSPs for all businesses to adhere to, but there are sector-specific CSPs that tourism businesses must also follow in order to comply with the public health order and offer service to guests in a safe and responsible manner.

Source: "New Mexico Department of Tourism"