New Mexico Environment Department



Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat is a rapid response?A rapid response takes place when the state learns of a positive COVID-19 case in a workplace. The goal of a rapid response is to protect employees and customers while minimizing disruptions to the business. State Agencies counsel businesses through rapid responses. A typical rapid response consists of (1) isolating positive cases, (2) quarantining of close contacts for 14 days, (3) ceasing operations to the extent necessary to isolate affected areas, (4) disinfection, and (5) implementing safety procedures.When does one rapid response end and another begin?A rapid response starts with one or more employees testing positive for COVID-19. As we work with a workplace on the rapid response, they will pause operations, disinfect, and then resume operations. Once a workplace resumes operations after pausing and disinfecting, the rapid response is considered complete. If this process concludes and another employee then tests positive, a second rapid response is initiated.Where can I find the Watchlist, so I can make more informed decisions about where to conduct my business?The Rapid Response COVID-19 Watchlist is located on the New Mexico Environment Department's homepage: . Simply click on the Watchlist logo in the upper righthand corner of the homepage.How does a business get onto the Watchlist?Any business or organization that has had 2 or more rapid responses conducted by the New Mexico Environment Department in the last 14 calendar days will be highlighted on the Rapid Response COVID-19 Watchlist. Rapid responses conducted by other state agencies may also be added to this Watchlist in the future.What businesses will have to shut down?Per the new public health order taking effect on Friday, October 23, 2020, certain workplaces that have had 4 or more rapid responses in the last 14 calendar days may need to cease operations for 2 weeks. For the matter of this calculation, every workplace will start at zero on Friday, October 23, 2020. This applies to food and drink establishments, retail establishments, places of lodging and close-contact businesses as defined in the public health order (e.g., gyms, salons). When four or more rapid responses occur, the New Mexico Environment Department will refer the establishment to the Department of Health, which will evaluate and make the decision to close an establishment, or not. What is NM Safe Certification?NM Safe Certified trains New Mexico businesses in COVID-Safe Practices to help ensure all of us —customers, employees, and families—remain safe as New Mexico reopens for business and recreation.What is the advantage of becoming NM Safe Certified?Food and drink establishments that complete the?NM Safe Certification training program may continue to offer limited indoor dining at a maximum of 25 percent occupancy as of Friday, October 30, 2020. Food and drink establishments have until October 30, 2020, to become certified.What is the COVID testing component of NM Safe Certification?Restaurants wishing to continue limited indoor dining must consent, as part of the certification program, to spot testing of employees by the state Department of Health. The Department of Health will prioritize spot-testing for establishments in high-risk counties where the spread of the virus is greatest.What happens if I do not become NM Safe Certified?Food and drink establishments that are not NM Safe Certified as of Friday, October 30, 2020, may continue to provide outdoor dine-in service at 75 percent of maximum occupancy?with tables at least 6 feet apart among other required COVID-Safe Practices,?but may not provide indoor dine-in service.?Is the NM Safe Certified program the same as ServSafe?The NM Safe Certified program is not the same as ServSafe.Where do I find this information about NM Safe Certification?More information can be found here: the Department of Health going to test all employees when a rapid response occurs?Not necessarily. This depends on the dates when employees worked, whether an employee is a close contact of an employee who has COVID-19, and other criteria.What happens if my employees refuse to undergo a COVID-19 test?Employers can require employees to submit to testing.Do I have to record the name of each person ordering? What about people in drive thru?Food and drink establishments must keep a logbook (i.e., name and contact information) of all customers who dine on-site (indoor or outdoor) for three weeks to support contact tracing efforts. This does not apply to individuals using the drive thru or picking up orders for off-site consumption. This is a Department of Health effort.When do retail stores have to close?Starting Friday, October 23, 2020, 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.What constitutes a retail establishment?Retail establishments?are defined in the public health order?as businesses selling goods or services directly to a customer and include grocery stores and “big box” stores. ................
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