Industry News
The Governor of New Mexico yesterday updated the public health order which will allow ski areas to open and operate throughout the winter. The two-week order that mandated all state residents must stay at home for all but essential travel and service expired yesterday.
In an effort designed to provide local communities the flexibility to operate more day-to-day activities, the state of New Mexico will transition to a tiered county-by-county COVID-19 risk system on December 2, enabling local communities to shed burdensome restrictions as soon as public health data show the virus is retreating within their borders.
Good News! New Mexico has updated its public health order allowing ski areas to open and operate throughout the winter. With this new announcement, we’re working with the state on testing protocol for all staff. Once we receive approval, we will announce our 2020-21 opening date! pic.twitter.com/tsTv5ToCBc
— Taos Ski Valley (@TaosSkiValley) December 1, 2020
The shift in the state’s “reopening” framework comes after the two-week “reset” period, in which state health officials enacted the most heightened level of statewide public health restrictions upon places of business and day-to-day activities in an effort to blunt the spread of COVID-19 all across New Mexico.
“The county-by-county framework enables counties, and the businesses and nonprofits within their borders, to operate with fewer restrictions when they slow the spread of the virus and drive down test positivity rates. It’s been a difficult year and an especially difficult past month. We must remain as vigilant as ever to contain and beat the virus; we also must look for ways to lessen the burden on our communities wherever possible, while never swerving from our top priority – protecting New Mexicans and saving lives.”
– Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham
This two-week shutdown delayed the start of the ski season for those planning on a November opening. Taos Ski Valley and Red River Ski Area were both scheduled to open in November.
Taos Ski Valley announced they are now working with the state on a testing protocol for all staff. Once they have received approval, they will announce their 2020-21 opening date.
New Mexico has had 97,095 confirmed covid-19 cases and 1,568 deaths with covid.
