Emergency Order Closing Gallup, New Mexico, Is Extended

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham speaks during a news conference outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington on June 13, 2018. (Toya Sarno Jordan/Getty Images)

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham extended an emergency order closing the small city of Gallup, located near the Navajo Nation, until Sunday, May 10.

The declaration was requested by the mayor of Gallup as the city tries to curb the spread of COVID-19.

“I have no doubt that the actions we have taken together have helped turn the tide in our community and we will, in coming days and weeks, continue efforts in Gallup until we see positive results and until this virus is defeated,” said Mayor Bonaguidi in a letter requesting the extension, as reported by KRQE.

The original declaration was slated to expire on May 4, and a second extension would have expired on May 7 at noon.

“A problem in one part of our state, with a virus this contagious, is a problem for our entire state,” the governor told reporters.

Grisham invoked the state’s Riot Control Act last week to close roads to nonessential travel. That also means all roads into the city are closed, and businesses will have to close from 5 p.m. until 8 a.m., according to a news release posted on Friday.

The order also stipulates that a maximum of two people can be inside a vehicle, and residents of Gallup have to shelter-in-place unless there is an emergency.

Gallup police, the McKinley County Sheriff’s Office, and the New Mexico State Police are enforcing the emergency order and road closures. The New Mexico National Guard will be deployed to support in a non-law enforcement capacity. Anyone who violates the order can face misdemeanor criminal charges. A second offense could garner fourth-degree felony charges, according to the governor’s office.