Here’s a look at some local news brought to you by Silver City Radio.

At the time of this report, the New Mexico Department of Health, announced 4,138 New Mexico COVID-19 confirmed positive cases. There have been 83,251 tests administered statewide, 178 current COVID-19 related hospitalizations, and 964 cases designated as having recovered according to the Department of Health.  In addition, sadly there has been 162 COVID-19 related deaths recorded statewide. Positive COVID-19 cases in Grant County 15, Luna County at 7, and Hidalgo and Catron counties have not changed.

During a live presentation yesterday afternoon, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham urged business owners to begin preparations for the first phase of reopening the state amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the Secretary of State amended the health emergency order inform businesses of steps they must take in order to operate. Some of the amendments include:

  • Beginning today, large grocery and retail spaces greater than 50,000 square feet and all restaurants currently operating curbside and delivery service will be required to ensure that all employees have at least cloth face coverings.
  • All employees must wear their face coverings in the workplace at all times when in the presence of others.
  • Beginning Monday, May 11, all essential businesses of any size currently operating under the public health order must also comply with the face covering requirement.

Employers are encouraged to acquire face coverings for all employees over the next week. Retailers will not be required to provide face coverings for customers but are encouraged to post signage strongly encouraging customers to wear their own mask. In addition, retailers at their own discretion may require customers to wear masks.

The Silver City Downtown Recovery project is one of the twelve Mainstreet community economic development projects that has been awarded seed grants and matching funds from the New Mexico Resiliency Alliance, in partnership with the New Mexico MainStreet Program and the McCune Charitable Foundation. The grants have been presented in response to COVID-19 economic recovery efforts by Mainstreet affiliates. According to a release, the New Mexico Resiliency Alliance is a nonprofit organization working communities to adapt and thrive in a changing economy.