NM health secretary issues ban on large public gatherings (100 or more persons)

The Albuquerque Journal ^ | March 12, 2020 | Dan Boyd

[CedarDave]

SANTA FE — New Mexico Health Secretary Kathy Kunkel has announced a temporary ban on public gatherings of 100 people or more, as the state’s efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus have rapidly intensified.

The ban, which took effect immediately, will apply to stadiums, arenas, conference centers and theaters.

However, airports, public transportation and shopping malls are exempt from the order. It also will not apply to weddings, funerals, restaurants, bars, hospitals and schools — at least for now.

[CedarDave]

Schools still open for now but sports tournaments that have not been cancelled prohibit fan attendance.

[CedarDave]

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[pilgrim]

Did she include churches?

Did not read the article. Sorry!!

[madison10]

There go some church services. No worries here, are losing people.

[Freeport]

Pesky thing the Constitution: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

[CedarDave]

Q: What is a mass gathering?
A: The order defines a mass gathering as any public or private gathering of 100 or more individuals in a single room or connected space where they would be in close proximity to one another. Examples include sporting events, concerts and conferences.
Q: What does that include?
A: That includes auditoriums, stadiums, arenas, large conference rooms or convention centers, meeting halls and theaters.
Q: Are there exemptions?
A: Yes. Exemptions from the order include shelters, retail and grocery stores, typical office environments, businesses, courthouses, restaurants and bars, correctional and detention facilities, all educational institutions, hospitals and other health care facilities and places of worship – as long as they are operating under normal business hours.
FAQ: Mass Gatherings Public Health Order

Churches are exempt.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Yep.

Dictatorships in the making.

[pgyanke]

When did we give our government at any level the power to restrict our free association?

Don’t get me wrong... they are probably right to suggest some social distancing in the current environment. There’s a big difference, though, in suggesting some change to habits and forbidden free citizens from gathering as they see fit.

[the_Watchman]

Q: What is a mass gathering

This clearly only applies to Roman Catholics. Protestants don't go to mass. :)

[kaktuskid]

What about racinos and casinos?

[pilgrim]

Thank you, did not want to be exposed to the CV! </s>
LOL

[Pollster1]

Under that 100-person rule, Biden and Tulsi are allowed to have campaign rallies, but Trump is not allowed. That’s fair.

[JD_UTDallas]

The government has absolute authority to issue medical quarantine those laws have been on the books and upheld by SCOTUS for over a century. With the declaration of Marital law in time of national security or emergency the Bill of rights is suspended also held up by the Supremes ask the Japanese Americans about Bill of rights during WWII for example.

[Roccus]

New Mexico Health Secretary Kathy Kunkel has announced a temporary ban on public gatherings of 100 people or more

Meanwhile, Gov. Cuomo of NY bans gatherings of 250 or more.....I guess Kunkel cares more about the people than Cuomo.

[UScbass]

The nail has been hit on the head!

[hattend]

So, we’re safe at 99 people. Whew!

[CedarDave]

Meanwhile, Gov. Cuomo of NY bans gatherings of 250 or more.....I guess Kunkel cares more about the people than Cuomo.

Yeah, but NY has a much bigger population. Heck, there maybe some small towns in NM that have less than 250 persons!

[LegendHasIt]

If I had a hundred friends... or even current acquaintances, I’d throw a party and dare her to come and arrest the 101 of us.

[sauropod]

.

[Sir_Ed]

I’m in Oregon, where our governor announced bans of more than 250, including religious groups.

So what my church did is break the two services up into four services, the first one starting at 7 am!