Facilitates capacity requirements for New Mexico grocery stores, ‘big box’ retailers

According to the state’s county-by-county 3-tier system, the changes establish those essential retail locations:

• Can operate at a maximum of 50 percent at the green level
• The yellow level can operate at a maximum of 33 percent
• The red level can operate at a maximum of 25 percent

Previously, essential retail spaces could have a maximum occupancy limit or run a limited number of customers at once, no matter how small. The change eliminates the latter arrangement.

As of Wednesday, all New Mexico districts except San Miguel County are red, which is yellow. Click here See map.

Essential retail outlets include: grocery stores, supermarkets, food banks, farmer’s markets and food vendors, convenience stores and other businesses earning more than a third of their revenue from registered food, dry goods, new sales. Fruits and vegetables, pet food, animal feed or products, fresh meats, fish and poultry, and any other consumed food and beverage products; Retailers who make the most of their revenue from the sale of automobile repair facilities, bike repair facilities and automobile or bike repair products; Hardware stores; Washing machines; And dry cleaning services.

The amendment goes into effect on Wednesday, December 16th. To read the revised Public Health Order, Click here.