ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Mayor Tim Keller highlighted enforcement, education, and personal responsibility in the City of Albuquerque amid the coronavirus pandemic during a news conference on Wednesday. The city will be ramping up the enforcement of the public health order as New Mexico has seen drastic increases in COVID-19 cases in the last few weeks.
In the last seven days, the mayor said the city has had 147 interactions over enforcement. In the month of October, the city has had 351 educational interactions across issues such as face mask-wearing, social distancing, indoor seating, and occupancy loads.
Mayor Keller reminds residents that while the city is under the state’s Public Health Order, the city also has its own Emergency Order with its own guidelines. All retail businesses including grocery stores must implement exclusive hours for individuals facing high-risk complications from COVID-19.
The city states it will begin to enforce these senior hours at retail and grocery stores. Additionally, officials will begin enforcement on facilities that have occupancy restrictions.
In partnership with state agencies, the City of Albuquerque will be ramping up enforcement under the existing Public Health Order which will most likely begin this weekend as a targeted blitz.
Mayor Keller says the enforcement will be focused on things that are contributing to the spread of COVID-19 such as sports bars, and chain retail stores in violation of the health order. The mayor also highlighted the danger of “COVID parties” that have been taking place in Albuquerque.
