The extended order means businesses will continue to be closed from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.; only two people may travel together in a car; and Gallup residents should remain at home except for emergency outings through noon Sunday, May 10. Roads into Gallup will remain closed for non-residents until 8 p.m. Friday, May 8.
From Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham
Thursday, May 7, 2020
– Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Thursday extended a modified emergency declaration requested by the mayor of Gallup through noon on Sunday, May 10, as that city continues to work to contain the COVID-19 virus.
The extended order means businesses will continue to be closed from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.; only two people may travel together in a car; and Gallup residents should remain at home except for emergency outings through noon Sunday, May 10.
Roads into Gallup will remain closed for non-residents until 8 p.m. Friday, May 8.
Per the mayor’s request, the order states that Gallup residents must wear at least a cloth face-covering when situated in an essential business, essential nonprofit or government building until the order expires.
Gallup is the county seat of McKinley County, which has just 3.5 percent of the state’s population but about 30 percent of the state’s COVID-19 cases. McKinley County reported 1,337 positive cases of COVID-19 as of Wednesday afternoon and 29 COVID-related deaths.
This is the second extension since Gallup Mayor Louis Bonaguidi first asked the governor to invoke the Riot Control Act effective at noon on May 1, a law authorizing the governor to enact further localized restrictions to mitigate 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,” Mayor Bonaguidi said in a letter requesting the new extension.
Gallup city police and McKinley County sheriff’s department have partnered with New Mexico State Police and Department of Transportation to enforce the emergency order and road closures. The New Mexico National Guard has also provided support in a non-law enforcement capacity.
An emergency declaration made under the Riot Control Act is in effect until noon the third day after it becomes effective. The original declaration expired at noon May 4; the first extension expires at noon May 7. The second extension will expire at noon Sunday, May 10.
Sunday, May 3, 2020
An emergency declaration requested by the mayor of Gallup and authorized by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham will be extended through noon, Thursday, May 7, per the mayor’s request. The action is intended to continue the aggressive physical distancing in the community and thus mitigate transmission of COVID-19.
In response to an emergency request from Gallup Mayor Louis Bonaguidi, the governor at 12 p.m. on Friday, May 1, invoked the state’s Riot Control Act, authorizing her to enact further temporary restrictions to mitigate the uninhibited spread of COVID-19 in that city.
An emergency declaration made under the act is in effect until noon the third day after it becomes effective.
Mayor Bonaguidi on Sunday requested an emergency declaration be extended rather than allowed to expire Monday; the governor granted the request and will formalize the extension Monday. The mayor’s letter is attached to this news release.
The emergency declaration closes all roads into Gallup, limited business hours, restricted how many individuals could travel in a car at once and directed Gallup residents to remain at home except for emergency outings. Upon the mayor’s request, the hours of business closures will be amended. Business curfew hours will mirror the curfew on the nearby Navajo Nation, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
“Only through the extension of the invocation of your authority under the Riot Control Act can our community impose the measures necessary to stem transmission of COVID-19,” wrote Mayor Bonaguidi.
Gallup city police and McKinley County sheriff’s department have partnered with New Mexico State Police and Department of Transportation to enforce the emergency order and road closures. The New Mexico National Guard has also provided support to this effort in a non-law enforcement capacity.
The Riot Control Act authorizes the governor to, for the temporary existence of a state of emergency, prohibit persons being on public streets and the use of certain streets and highways, among other broad emergency restrictions.
Because of the extreme heightened risk of transmission in the northwestern region of the state, McKinley County -- along with neighboring San Juan and Cibola counties -- remain subject to the Secretary of Health’s public health order of April 11.
Moderate easings incorporated in the modified public health order effective Friday, May 1, do not apply in those counties.
McKinley County as of Sunday afternoon had reported 1,144 positive cases of COVID-19, the most positive cases in the entire state, outstripping even far more populous counties.
Friday, May 1, 2020
In response to an emergency request from the mayor of Gallup, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham at 12 p.m. on Friday will invoke the state’s Riot Control Act, authorizing her to enact further temporary restrictions to mitigate the uninhibited spread of COVID-19 in that city.
Effective at 12 p.m., May 1, all roads into Gallup are closed. Businesses in the city of Gallup will close from 5 p.m. through 8 a.m. Vehicles may only have a maximum of two individuals. Residents of the city should remain at home except for emergency outings and those essential for health, safety and welfare.
Gallup city police and McKinley County sheriff’s department will partner with New Mexico State Police and Department of Transportation to enforce the emergency order and road closures. The New Mexico National Guard will also provide support to this effort in a non-law enforcement capacity.
Both outgoing Gallup Mayor Jackie McKinney and new Mayor Louis Bonaguidi, who was sworn into office 2:30 p.m., April 30, requested the governor declare a state of emergency under the Riot Control Act, 12-10-16 to 12-10-21 NMSA 1978.
Any state of emergency proclaimed under the Riot Control Act, along with any restrictions imposed for control of that emergency, terminates automatically at noon on the third day after it becomes effective unless sooner terminated by proclamation of the governor. The Gallup emergency is effective immediately and will expire at noon on Monday, May 4.
The Riot Control Act authorizes the governor to, for the temporary existence of a state of emergency, prohibit persons being on public streets and the use of certain streets and highways, among other broad emergency restrictions.
Because of the extreme heightened risk of transmission in the northwestern region of the state, McKinley County – along with neighboring San Juan and Cibola counties – remain subject to the Secretary of Health’s public health order of April 11. Moderate easings incorporated in the modified public health order effective Friday, May 1, do not apply in those counties.
“I recognize this request is unusual and constitutes a drastic measure, and the emergency powers set out under the Riot Control Act should be invoked sparingly,” said Mayor Bonaguidi. “However, the COVID-19 outbreak in the city of Gallup is a crisis of the highest order. Immediate action is necessary.”
“We fully support the proactive measures implemented by Governor Lujan Grisham, at the request of the City of Gallup,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez. “We have many members of the Navajo Nation that reside in Gallup and many that travel in the area and their health and safety is always our top priority. Thank you to the Governor for her leadership and decisive actions. We urge everyone to stay home, stay safe, and save lives!”
“In order to maintain our freedoms as the people of the greatest country, we need to work together to get back to normalcy in McKinley County,” said Sen. George Muñoz of Gallup. “Thus, we are restricting travel in and out of the county, establishing a quarantine, for the next three days. We will assess each day afterwards until the spread of the virus is reducing. There’s nothing more important than the health and welfare of every American person, but the reopening of the economy and places of worship is paramount to continuing our way of life that our founding fathers dreamed of and fought for.”
“The needs of McKinley County are the most important in the state,” said Rep. Patricia Lundstrom of Gallup. “The escalating numbers and deaths indicate that we must take immediate action. Everyone should take this seriously and stay home. These measures are aggressive but necessary.”
“The state is doing everything in their power to stop the spread of this virus,” said Sen. Shannon Pinto. “It has taken too many of our loved ones to not take every measure we can. I support these steps and ask our community to abide by the directives. It is now in our hands. Only we can make the difference. Love is having the courage to do what is right for them, and not just for you.”
Attached to this release is a letter to the governor from McKinley County Commissioner Bill Lee, who wrote, in part, “You and your team have worked diligently with the leadership from the Navajo Nation, Zuni Pueblo, City of Gallup, our local Representatives, Senators and, McKinley County seeking solutions and taking the best steps possible. I want you to know that I personally support these coordinated efforts and the request made by our Mayor. Over the past three days difficult discussions in trying times have led us to take these steps. The days ahead will not be easy and, I keep those who will be on the front lines protecting us in my prayers. I pray not only for their safety but that the citizens will extend grace, courtesy and respect for the job they will be performing.”
“The urgency of the situation in McKinley County calls for urgent action,” said Rep. Wonda Johnson of Church Rock. “That is what this is. For the sake of our elders and at risk members of our community we must treat this situation with the seriousness that it requires. I urge everyone to stay home and help our community recover from this pandemic.”
Under the Riot Control Act, anyone who fails to comply with restrictions imposed under the act is guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction of a second or subsequent offense is guilty of a fourth-degree felony.
“The spread of this virus in McKinley County is frightful,” said Gov. Lujan Grisham, “and it shows that physical distancing has not occurred and is not occurring. The virus is running amok there. It must be stopped, and stricter measures are necessary. A problem in one part of our state, with a virus this dangerous and this contagious, is a problem for our entire state.
“The imperative for all of us to remain home and physically distant has not changed. It is even more crucial for New Mexicans in the northwestern region. But what is happening in the northwest could happen in any part of our state. We must remain vigilant.”
McKinley County as of Thursday had reported 1,027 positive cases of COVID-19, more than 30 percent of the state’s total positive COVID-19 cases and the most positive cases in the entire state, outstripping even far more populous counties. Its infection trend has shown no sign of flattening. The county has reported an additional 207 positive cases in the last two days alone, more than every other county in the state has reported total over the length of the pandemic save three.
