Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima signed an emergency proclamation extending the previous Emergency Proclamation (2020-05); Closing all City indoor recreation facilities for seven days (excluding the Regional Aquatic Center which adheres to the State or New Mexico COVID Safe Practice Guidelines); Increasing security and enforcement at the Las Cruces Farmer’s and Crafts Market to ensure entrants wear required face coverings and; Preparing to allocate resources that will facilitate safe compliance with the Governor’s, the State’s and the City’s Emergency Proclamations (including enforcement of face covering requirements at public outdoor facilities and private businesses).
This Emergency Proclamation (2020-06) dated October 26, 2020 at 4 p.m. become effective at 6 a.m. Tuesday, October 27, 2020.
The terms of the proclamation will be reviewed at a special meeting at 9 a.m. on Friday, October 30 for discussion and possible renewal.
As in past proclamations, face covering means a covering made of cloth, fabric, or other soft or permeable material, without holes, that covers the nose and mouth and surrounding areas of the lower face. A face covering may be factory-made, or may be handmade and improvised from ordinary household materials.
The mayor issued the proclamation in response to the announcement of 828 statewide positive cases of COVID-19 issued by the State of New Mexico Department of Health on Sunday, October 26, 2020 of which more than 200 cases were identified in Dona Ana County.
The Mayor’s Emergency Proclamation will require a use of mask when voting at City Hall, 700 N. Main Street. (as with previous Emergency Proclamations)
In-person alternate voting at City Hall runs through Saturday, October 31. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
On March 27, city council approved an emergency declaration ordinance that provides the mayor and mayor pro tem the authority to take immediate action for the protection of life and property, and for the preservation of public peace, safety, health, welfare, and for the continuity of efficient government operations.
The ordinance allows the council to authorize limited action in response to an emergency situation and to exercise their emergency powers through a proclamation. The term of the proclamation is three days but can be extended for up 14 days at a time.
The Mayor had issued an Emergency Proclamation on April 7, 2020 which was extended by Council on April 10, 2020 and again on April 20, 2020.
Mayors Emergency Proclamation (2020-06) Dated 10/26/2020 at 4 p.m.