New Mexico’s governor today ordered at least a three-day lockdown of the Route 66 town of Gallup, New Mexico, because of a big surge in coronavirus cases there.
Gallup’s outgoing mayor and its new mayor on Thursday requested that Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham declare a state of emergency under the state’s Riot Control Act.
McKinley County, of which Gallup is the county seat, has confirmed more than 1,000 cases of COVID-19, more than any county in the state and comprising 30% of the state’s total. More than 200 new cases were reported in the last two days.
According to the Albuquerque Journal, that means more than 1 of every 100 county residents have tested positive for the disease, based on 2019 U.S. Census Bureau estimates.
The state is setting up roadblocks to keep people from entering or leaving the city. Only residents, those who work in the city and reporters can get through. Traffic on Interstate 40 is allowed through the town, as usual.
According to a news release from the governor’s office:
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. […]
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. […]
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.
Neighboring San Jon and Cibola counties — the latter becoming infamous because of the Grants mayor’s demand to reopen non-essential businesses — were supposed to see some easing of restrictions today but were kept at the same April 11 level because of the seriousness of the situation in McKinley County.
The Navajo Nation’s president and several local lawmakers praised the move today.
UPDATE 5/3/2020: Gallup’s lockdown has been extended to Thursday after the mayor requested it.
(Image of Route 66 in Gallup, New Mexico, by Wolfgang Staudt via Flickr)
Excellent picture of the Blue Spruce Motel sign. I’ve never caught it with so much neon working.