COVID-19 TRAVELER INFORMATION
UPDATED July 10, 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.
Things To Know Before Visiting Santa Fe County:
- Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has issued an Executive Order requiring all travelers arriving to New Mexico from out of state to self-isolate for at least 14 days from the date of their entry into the State or for the duration of their presence in the State to help combat the spread of COVID-19. Travelers who fail to voluntarily self-isolate will be subject to forced isolation or quarantine by the New Mexico Health Department.
- 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.
- Camping at state parks remains prohibited. To review the status of operations for all state parks, click here.
- All gatherings of more than five (5) people are prohibited.
- Everyone is required to wear a face covering in public in the state of New Mexico. The only exceptions to face coverings in public include eating and drinking.
- Effective July 13, the face covering requirement will be strengthened to additionally require individuals to wear face coverings while exercising.
- 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.
RESTAURANT & BREWERY UPDATES
Effective July 13, the emergency public health order will be amended to implement the following restrictions:
- Restaurants and breweries may continue to operate patio or outdoor seating at 50% of maximum occupancy adhering to COVID-Safe Practices.
- Restaurants may continue to provide carry out and delivery service. Breweries may continue to provide curbside pickup service.
- Indoor seating at restaurants and breweries is prohibited.
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.
HOTEL & LODGING
As of June 1, hotels and resorts, motels, short term vacation rentals, RV parks, and other places of lodging, can operate at 50% of maximum capacity in accordance with COVID-Safe Practices.
NOTE: Contact any business individually before visiting to confirm hours of operation, closures, or changes in services.
RETAIL
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.
Drive-in theaters permitted to operate with COVID-Safe Practices in place.
Hair salons, nail salons, massage services, 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.
Hotels/Resorts and Lodging Updates in Santa Fe County:
- Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado is now accepting reservations for stays from June 4, 2020, onward. Book online now or call the Resort directly at 1 (505)946-5700 for assistance.
- The Houses of the Moon at Ten Thousand Waves will be open starting June 15. Call (505)992-5003 for reservations.
- Sunrise Springs Resort: It is a July 1st Partial re-opening. Call the Reservations Center at 877-977-8212 or book online.
- For a Full List of Lodging, please visit http://www.SantaFeNMTrue.com
SANTA FE COUNTY UPDATES, POSTPONEMENTS, CANCELLATIONS AND CLOSURES
These organizations and businesses have announced the following updates, postponements, cancellations and closures. Check back often as we will continue to update on any additional closures. Please contact businesses directly before visiting should you have any questions or concerns.
- Archdioceses of Santa Fe: Houses of Worship may hold services and other functions provided that they comply with the COVID-Safe Practices for Houses of Worship section of the "All Together New Mexico: COVID-Safe Practices for Individuals and Employers". Further, "houses of worship", may not exceed 25% of the maximum occupancy of any enclosed building as determined by the relevant fire marshal or fire department.
- Bandelier National Monument: As of Monday, June 8, 2020 Bandelier will begin a phased reopening of some park resources that have been closed to the public since March 22nd due to COVID-19. They will reopen to 50% capacity. Visitors may be required to return at a later time or encouraged to recreate in other areas in Bandelier or the surrounding areas when this capacity is reached. A staffed, outdoor information table in front of the Frijoles Canyon Visitor Center will be available between 9:00am and 4:30pm daily, to provide orientation information and answer questions.The following areas continue to vie available for day use: Burnt Mesa; Apache Springs; Cerro Grande; Alamo Boundary; Ski Trails; Ponderosa Trail and Bandelier Wilderness.
- Pecos National Historical Park:Beginning June 1, Pecos National Historical Park will offer a staffed outdoor information table in front of the E.E. Fogelson Visitor Center to provide orientation information and answer questions. This service will be available between 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Summer fishing permits for the Pecos River within the park boundaries will be available for the summer season (June 11 – August 3). Reservations can be made up to 30 days in advance via www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. A $15 per day fee must be paid online during the online reservation process. Please note that anglers are required to check in and acquire a special use permit at the park visitor center prior to fishing. For more information related to fishing, visit the park website https://www.nps.gov/peco/planyourvisit/fishing.htm.
With public health in mind, the following facilities remain closed at this time:
- The E.E. Fogelson Visitor Center and WNPA Bookstore
- The Forked Lightning Ranch House
- Access to the kivas along the main unit trail
The park grounds are open 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
For more information about the park in general, contact Pecos NHP at (505) 757-7241 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/peco.
- Buffalo Thunder Casino:Buffalo Thunder Casino will be closed starting Monday, March 16.
- The Buffalo Thunder Resort has temporarily suspended operations.
- Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks:Closed until further notice.
- New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs:All state run museums and historic sites are temporarily closed. All events are cancelled until further notice.
New Mexico Rail Runner: Beginning March 16, the New Mexico Rail Runner Express will temporarily suspend service.
New Mexico State Capitol: Closed to the public until further notice. All legislative agencies will continue to operate on a regular schedule.
New Mexico State Forests: National Forests in New Mexico will close developed recreation sites. Visitors are still welcome. The five national forests in New Mexico, including the Santa Fe National Forest, will begin closing the developed recreation sites beginning Monday, March 23. Campgrounds, day-use sites, restrooms, and other developed recreation facilities in the New Mexico State Forests are likely to be closed. However, a vast majority of the forests will still be available to visitors who want to spend time outdoors. At this time, recreation opportunities include hiking and biking on trails, dispersed camping, and other activities that support social distancing and small groups. Campfire Restrictions are in effect.
For updates regarding the Santa Fe National Forest visit www.fs.usda.gov/main/santafe/home.
El Rancho de las Golondrinas: Las Golondrinas festivals have been canceled through August and the opening of the museum for tours has been delayed until deemed safe and appropriate. Any changes to this schedule will be posted and updated here and on our social media.
New Mexico State Parks and Campgrounds: Effective May 1, New Mexico State Parks and Campgrounds may reopen on a modified day-use-only basis, as staff is available - camping and visitor centers are still closed.
Santa Fe Botanical Garden: The Santa Fe Botanical Garden at Museum Hill and the Leonora Curtin Wetland Preserve in La Cienega( a few miles south of Santa Fe) are both currently closed due to COVID-19. Reopening dates will be announced soon.
Santa Fe Children's Museum: Closed until further notice.
Santa Fe Community Convention Center: The SFCCC is closed. All events, conferences, and meetings have been cancelled or postponed until further notice.
Tesuque Casino: Closed until further notice.
Santa Fe Visitor Information Centers: All Visitor Information Centers (Santa Fe Community Convention Center, Plaza, and Railyard) are closed.
Nambe´ Falls Recreation Area is closed.
For a list of additional closures, please visit the Santa Fe New Mexican: Santa Fe Postponements, Cancellations, and Closures.
EVENTS AND LARGE GATHERINGS IN SANTA FE COUNTY
At the direction of the state of New Mexico, all gatherings of more than five people are prohibited until further notice.
We realize the inconvenience and frustration in regard to event cancellations. We are working to keep an ongoing list of all events in Santa Fe County that have been canceled or postponed. We are working to keep this information as accurate and up-to-date as possible.
- The Santa Fe Opera Summer Season has been cancelled.Tune in to the Santa Fe Opera's social's media channels for their Series:Songs from the Santa Fe Opera! Not to be missed!
- Spanish Market has been cancelled.
- International Folk Art Market is cancelled.
- Pecos National Historical Park has cancelled this year’s Feast Day at Pecos Pueblo.
- SWAIA Indian Market has been postponed until 2021.
- The Burning of Zozobra is cancelled but will be coming to your home via TV or online! Stay tuned for more information.
- The Fiesta de Santa Fe has been cancelled.
NEW MEXICO SAFE PROMISE
The New Mexico Hospitality Association (NMHA) and the state’s hospitality and tourism industry announced 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
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
