COVID-19 TRAVELER INFORMATION
UPDATED November 6, 2020
TRAVEL SAFELY: Re-Opening of Santa Fe County
The safety and well-being of our residents and visitors has always been our top priority. Now, more than ever, we are dedicated to helping you feel confident to travel safely. Santa Fe County continues to work closely with our business partners, monitoring the new safety procedures and practices being implemented within restaurants, accommodations, attractions, venues and more, to ensure you can feel comfortable during your visit.
While enjoying your visit in Santa Fe County, we strongly encourage you to adhere to the health practices recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), such as mask wearing, frequent hand washing and maintaining distance (about six feet) from others when possible.
For additional information and resources, call the NMDOH Coronavirus Hotline at 1-855-600-3453 or visit cv.nmhealth.org.
While the state has begun to allow the reopening of businesses, some businesses remain closed or have modified hours. We recommend calling ahead to any business you plan to visit to confirm that they are open and ready to welcome guests.
Effective Friday, October 16, all individuals entering New Mexico from higher-risk states must self-quarantine for 14 days or for the duration of their stay in New Mexico, whichever is shorter, even if they have recently tested negative for COVID-19. Higher-risk states are defined as those that have a test positivity rate of 5% or higher over a seven-day rolling average or a positive test rate higher than 80 per 100,000 residents.
For more information on current New Mexico travel restrictions, quarantine requirements, and list of high-risk and low-risk states, please visit cv.nmhealth.org/travel-recommendations.
- Effective October 16, gatherings of more than five individuals will be prohibited. Previously, the state’s public health order allowed gatherings of up to 10 individuals.
- Beginning October 1, New Mexico residents may overnight camp at most state parks in groups of 5 or fewer people. To review the status of operations for all state parks, click here.
- Effective July 13, New Mexico State Parks are not open to out-of-state residents. Individuals who visit a state park must demonstrate proof of residency, such as a state ID or state-issued license plate.
- Everyone is required to wear a face covering in public in the state of New Mexico, including while exercising. The only exceptions to face coverings in public include eating, drinking, swimming or unless otherwise advised by a health care provider.
- All open businesses in the state are required to operate in accordance with the New Mexico COVID-Safe Practices.
For more information on the current Public Health Order, including definitions and specifics, click here.
HOTEL & LODGING UPDATES
Effective October 16, hotels, motels, short-term vacation rentals, RV parks, and other places of lodging that have completed the NM Safe Certified program may operate at 60% of maximum capacity. Hotels and lodging properties must operate in accordance with COVID-Safe Practices. Places of lodging that have not completed the training program will be capped at 25% maximum occupancy.
NOTE: Contact any business individually before visiting to confirm hours of operation, closures, or changes in services.
RESTAURANT & BREWERY UPDATES
- Food and drink establishments (including restaurants, breweries, wineries, distillers, cafes, coffee shops or other similar establishments) that have completed the New Mexico Safe Certification training program, may continue to offer limited indoor dining service at 25 percent of maximum occupancy as of Friday, October 30, in accordance with COVID-Safe Practices.
- Food and drink establishments may continue to provide outdoor dining options, carryout and delivery services, in accordance with COVID-Safe Practices. Tables – inside or outside – must be spaced at least six feet apart, and no more than six patrons are permitted at a single table.
- Effective October 16, any food or drink establishment in New Mexico that serves alcohol must close at 10 p.m. each night.
Our friends at edible New Mexico have compiled a list of food service establishments offering take-out, curbside pickup, delivery, and gift cards for future use. Many are offering special discounts and deals, so visit their websites for details. View the complete list here.
NOTE: Contact any restaurants and breweries individually before visiting to confirm hours of operation, closures, or changes in services.
RETAIL BUSINESS UPDATES
Effective Friday, October 23, all retail establishments must close by 10 p.m. each night, in alignment with the state’s requirement that food and drink establishments serving alcohol must close by 10 p.m.
As of Monday, June 1, all retailers and most non-essential businesses may open and operate at 25% capacity. A “retailer” is any business that sells goods directly to the ultimate consumer or end-users and does not include wholesalers or suppliers.
Indoor malls may open at 25% of maximum occupancy in accordance with COVID-Safe Practices.
Hair salons, nail salons, massage services, tattoo parlors, and related services may operate at 25% of maximum occupancy in accordance with COVID-Safe Practices.
NOTE: Contact any retailers individually before visiting to confirm hours of operation, closures or changes in services.
ATTRACTIONS & RECREATION UPDATES
Indoor movie theatres, indoor museums with interactive displays/exhibits, bowling alleys, and other indoor attractions remain closed at this time. Should the state meet key gating criteria, the reopening plan for these attractions will be included in the next phase of reopening the state. Drive-in theaters permitted to operate with COVID-Safe Practices in place.
Effective Friday, October 23, the state will close all state museums and historical sites. All other museums with static displays may continue to operate at 25% capacity. Contact museums individually before visiting to confirm hours of operation, closures, or changes in services.
Buffalo Thunder Casino, Tesuque Casino, and Cities of Gold Casino are all open at this time.
NEW MEXICO SAFE PROMISE
The New Mexico Hospitality Association (NMHA) and the state’s hospitality and tourism industry announced today the launch of the New Mexico Safe Promise campaign. The initiative invites all New Mexicans to make a personal commitment to follow COVID-19 Safe Practices to help make New Mexico the safest place for its families, workers, and customers. This initiative is about local communities supporting each other to ensure that all New Mexicans are self-accountable to abide by best practice safety standards. To make the New Mexico Safe Promise, visit NMSafePromise.org.
Responsible Restaurant Reopening with the New Mexico Restaurant Association
The NMRA has put together a plan for reopening restaurants that protect the public, gets thousands of people back to work and helps restaurants survive until a time when we can resume providing hospitality to our communities at 100%.
The restaurant industry has an outstanding track record of protecting our employees and guests. To ensure everyone’s safety as we welcome you back into our dining rooms, we ask that we make the following promises to each other:
OUR PROMISE TO YOU
- We will continue to be a leader in safe sanitation practices with all team members certified in safe food handling and a certified manager at every restaurant.
- Staff will wear face coverings at all times.
- All staff will pass a health check or complete a health survey prior to each shift.
- All indoor and outdoor seating options will comply with the appropriate social distancing guidelines.
- Hand sanitizer or hand washing stations will be available upon entry and exit.
- We will clean and sanitize common areas regularly.
- All tables and chairs will be cleaned and sanitized after every use.
- Place settings, utensils, menus, and condiments will either be single-use or will be cleaned and sanitized after every use.
- We will post the New Mexico Restaurant Promise at our entrances so everyone understands the steps we must all take to keep our communities safe
YOUR PROMISE TO US
- You will wear a face mask when entering and/or exiting the building or moving about the building. You do not need to wear a face mask when seated at your table.
- If you have been exposed to COVID-19 recently or have symptoms of COVID-19 (including a fever, cough, or shortness of breath), please help us keep everyone safe by using our contactless delivery or carry out options.
- If you have underlying health conditions or are otherwise concerned about contracting COVID-19, please feel free to use our contactless delivery or take-out options. If you have any questions about the New Mexico Restaurant Promise, please ask for a manager who will be happy to assist you.
MORE RESOURCES
Santa Fe County is also closely monitoring updates and advice from local, state, federal, and international organizations that are actively tracking COVID-19 (Coronavirus) including:
The New Mexico Department of Health
The New Mexico Tourism Department
