New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has ordered the state’s businesses to shut down for two weeks beginning Monday, but the question remains—how will it affect the state’s energy industries?
“New Mexico is at the breaking point. We face a life-or-death situation, and we must and will act to preserve the lives of New Mexicans.”
Under Gov. Grisham’s order, essential businesses will be allowed to operate at “limited occupancy” and state residents will be restricted to leaving their homes only for “essential trips.”
It remains unclear how the lockdown will affect the state’s prolific oil and gas industry located largely in the southeast part of the state where the Permian Basin extends.
The Associated Press reported that the governor’s order stated, “Food and drink establishments may provide curbside pickup and delivery; onsite dining is prohibited .Non-essential entities, including close-contact businesses, must reduce in-person workforce and activities by 100%.”
The governor’s order came after hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19 spiked in the state. As of late last week, deaths totaled 1,176 and the numbers had increased more than 100 from the previous week.
