In response to the statewide rise in Covid-19 infection rates, primarily in the metro area, Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller announced on Wednesday that the city will step up enforcement procedures and crack down on Public health Order violations. The stern measures are a reaction to a doubling of case counts in Bernalillo County recently, making it the state’s largest hot spot for new infections. “We are going to be drastically ramping up enforcement … under the existing public health order,” Keller said during a media briefing at City Hall. This initiative won’t introduce any new rules but rather crack down existing mandates that have been loosely enforced up to now.
The City’s enforcement blitz will likely begin Friday when the Governor’s new business restrictions go into effect and will focus on more on “zip code hot spots” where the city has seen increased infections. The enforcement blitz will focus on high-traffic spaces and issue citings for large gatherings, big-box stores (which have been a constant source of criticism) and chain restaurants, sports bars, parties at the parks and even outdoor sporting activities. Click here for more information.