COUNTY News:
The increasing number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 virus spurred the Governor and New Mexico Health Department to issue a Public Health Emergency Order to Limit Mass Gatherings. In response to this, Los Alamos County began this afternoon a case-by-case assessment of all reservations, programs and events.
“The main thing is we are following the Governor’s orders,” said Los Alamos County Communications and Public Relation’s Leslie Bucklin.
The Order, dated March 12, and lasting through April 11, 2020 is stated as follows:
“All Mass Gatherings are hereby prohibited under the powers and authority set forth in the New Mexico Health Act, and all regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.”
“Mass Gatherings” are defined as: “any public or private gathering that brings together one hundred (100) or more individuals in a single room or connected space in close proximity to one another, such as an auditorium, stadium, arena, large conference room, meeting hall, theaters, or any other confined indoor or outdoor space, but does not include normal operations at airports, on other forms of transit, shopping malls, or other spaces where 100 or more individuals may be in transit. ‘Mass Gathering’ does not include family gatherings such as weddings or funerals, shelters, retail stores or grocery stores, typical office environments, businesses, courthouses, restaurants and bars, correctional and detention facilities, schools and educational institutions, hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and other health care and congregate care facilities, and places of worship operating during ‘normal business hours’.”
While the case-by-case assessment is conducted, the County is instituting a few precautions. For instance, Bucklin said the Customer Care Center remains open for business but customers are encouraged to utilize the Customer Care Center’s services either by phone or going on online rather than seeing a representative in person.
“We’re just trying to keep everyone safe,” Bucklin said.
According to a County press release, Customer Care representatives can transfer utilities services, verify account information or utility bills, and issue banner permits all by phone. Customers can reach the department 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at 505.662.8333 or CustomerCare@lacnm.us. Payments can be made online at https://ladpu.com/paymentus or by phone at 1.866.417.0694.
Additionally, the Betty Ehart Senior Center and White Rock Senior Center are revising their meal services.
Los Alamos Retired and Senior Organization Receptionist Annette Hiteman reported the Governor announced another order today, which suspends all congregate meals served at senior centers in the state starting Friday through April 30.
However, Hiteman said that beginning Friday, the Betty Ehart Senior Center will offer drive up meal delivery. Monday through Friday, seniors can sign up for a meal, drive to the lower entrance at the senior center and a staff member will deliver the hot meal to the individual’s car.
Hiteman added upcoming events including Tai-Chi, duplicate bridge, Los Alamos Parkinson’s and Movement Disorder Support Group and Hill Strummers are cancelled.
Additionally, the Friends of the Senior Center Board of Directors meeting on March 24 is cancelled.
Hiteman said for updates, call the senior center at 662.8920 or visit http://www.losalamosseniorcenter.com/.
“Things are changing pretty quickly,” she said.
