In accordance with the state’s three-tier system by county, the changes stipulate that essential retail spaces:
- May work at 50 percent of the maximum occupancy on the green level
- May operate at 33 percent of the maximum occupancy on the yellow level
- May operate at 25 percent of the maximum occupancy on the red level
Previously, essential retail spaces could be used with a maximum occupancy limit or with a specific number of customers at a time, whichever was the smaller. The change eliminates the last provision.
As of Wednesday, all counties in New Mexico will be red, except for San Miguel County, which is yellow. Click here to see the map.
Essential retail spaces include: grocery stores, grocery stores, food banks, farmers’ markets and vendors selling food, convenience stores and other businesses that generate more than a third of their revenue from the sale of canned food, dry goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, food for pets, animal feed or supplies, fresh meat, fish and poultry and all other consumable food and drink products; auto repair facilities, bicycle repair facilities and retailers that derive most of their income from the sale of auto or bicycle repair products; hardware stores; laundromats; and dry cleaning services.
The change will take effect on Wednesday, December 16. Click here to read the amended public health statement.