The state of New Mexico will add new restrictions effective Monday because of soaring coronavirus cases there, and more states are likely to join it as the virus reaches a dangerous stage in the growth of infections and overwhelmed hospitals.
Four other states on Friday also added COVID-19 restrictions.
USA Today, which published a handy state-by-state breakdown of restrictions because of the pandemic, reports about New Mexico:
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Nov. 13 announced a two-week “reset” of heightened public health restrictions from late March and early April. That means citizens are ordered to shelter in place, leaving home only for essential trips for health, safety and welfare. All non-essential businesses and nonprofits will cease in-person activities per the order. Essential businesses may operate under reduced operations and occupancy to the “greatest possible extent.” This encompasses the Thanksgiving Day holiday, running through Nov. 30.
Occupancy at essential businesses, such as grocers and pharmacies, will be capped at 25%, or 75 people, whichever was lower.
Non-essential businesses that will be closed for the two-week period include gyms, restaurants, barbershops, spas and many other businesses that had been operating in recent months. Restaurants can offer curbside service and delivery but cannot serve in-person customers indoors or outdoors during the shutdown.
New Mexico requires mask-wearing in public, as does California, Kansas, Illinois and Texas.
Arizona does not require masks in all areas, but the governor is encouraging their use. Missouri and Oklahoma do not have mask mandates, though leaders in multiple cities in both states are urging one.
A look at the newswires indicates hospitals in all eight states that Route 66 traverses are full or nearly full of COVID-19 patients. With that in mind, it’s a poor time to travel the Mother Road right now. It’s hoped the U.S. will have a vaccine by spring.
(Illustration of COVID-19 by Prochatai via Flickr)