Last week, Governor Lujan-Grisham announced a revised order that runs thru November 13th. A focal point of the order was on The NM Safe Certified Program, which trains and certifies businesses in COVID-safe practices. NM Safe Certified link https://nmsafecertified.org/.
TENTS - The existing tent licenses for outdoor dining will be extended for another 6 months per alcohol beverage control. At the state level you need to do nothing unless you are changing your tent or adding a tent for outdoor dining. Check with your local officials on how this will be done. Most communities including Rio Rancho are following the state guidelines and extending the approval for 6 months.
GRANTS - If you have applied for a Cares Act Grant from Rio Rancho and the Town of Bernalillo, your application is being process and is now accessible to business open less than a year prior to 3/1/2020. Sandoval County is also taking applications for those that have not applied to Rio Rancho or Bernalillo. Also, if you completed a Grant request at Rio Rancho or Bernalillo then you do not need to complete one for Sandoval County as it will be forwarded.
We have listed some of the revised guidelines below. Please keep in mind these are established by the state and our local businesses. “Please Be Kind and Wear A Mask” when going to a local business, all they want to do is remain open. If a business is not following these guidelines then they are in jeopardy of being fined and/or closed by the State of New Mexico. These businesses are being visited by enforcement groups and OSHA throughout the state to ensure compliance. I think we can all agree that at 25% capacity, most businesses cannot afford a fine or be closed for 2 weeks.
We have summarized the guidelines for restaurants which continue to be a focal point for regulations and state compliance orders.
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Restaurants will need to be NM Safe Certified by October 30 to maintain indoor dining at 25% capacity.
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Food and drink establishments must ensure that there is at least six feet of distance between tables.
- No more than six patrons may be seated at any single table.
- No bar or counter seating is permitted.
- Dine-in services shall be provided only to patrons who are seated at table, and patrons may not consume food or beverage while standing.
- Outdoor seating areas can continue at up to 75% occupancy, where applicable.
- Carryout service, or delivery service continues with no change
- All food and drink establishments that is permitted to serve alcohol must close by 10pm.
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Restaurants must maintain a list with name and contact information of all dine in customers. The log must be maintained for 3 weeks. (Please be kind to the restaurant, this is the Governors order and is required for our local restaurants to be open.
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Wear a mask upon entering the restaurant and please keep your mask on when not eating or drinking. Again, these are the states guidelines and not the restaurants, Be Kind, they just want to remain open.
