LAS CRUCES, NM - Las Cruces City Council unanimously approved a resolution at today’s Special Council Meeting, Monday, June 8, which encourages the public to wear face coverings in retail and commercial business in the city limits due to the Corona Virus pandemic, but includes no penalities for violators.
The Resolution is in lieu of Ordinance No. 2929, which would have required face coverings to be worn by the public in retail and commercial businesses with exceptions (aligned with the State of New Mexico Covid-19 Public Health Order) for eating, drinking, exercising, children under three-years-old or those with other personal health concerns prohibiting the use of a face covering.
Ordinance 2929, if enacted, could have left those in violation of the Ordinance facing consequences of a misdemeanor charge, punishable by a fine up to $500 and/or 90 days in jail. Several council members stated they preferred voluntary compliance over enforcement and did not want the effort to be punitive, which led to the proposal of this resolution.
City Council tabled Ordinance 2929 indefinitely at a special meeting, Friday, June 5., and instead focused on Resolution 20-167, which holds no punitive consequences.