Clip courtesy City of El Paso
City/County: Greater restrictions added to slow Covid-19 surge; Spike attributable to community spread
As a result of the ongoing surge of Covid-19 cases, Mayor Dee Margo announced new safety guidelines for the region Thursday morning.
With a region-wide hospitalization rate of 28%, and a trauma service rate of 17.7%, the mayor stressed the need for the return to restrictions to control and halt the spread.
Staring Friday morning at 12:01 a.m. the new restrictions go into effect.
As bars continue to be closed, all restaurants will be restricted to 50% capacity. At 9 p.m., they will only be allowed to serve via take out or drive through.
Gatherings at parks are now limited to groups of 10 or fewer, with outdoor sports to be held with no spectators. Indoor sports have been paused.
According to the mayor, the restrictions do not apply to the pro or college events held by the Miners or Locomotive.
Additionally, home gatherings are not allowed, as are visit to elderly care facilities. Any exemption requests submitted to the city have been suspended, however all previously approved requests will continue.
Early voting is not impacted, as the El Paso County Elections Department have implemented safety protocols and the number of voting locations allow for greater distance for voters.
The mayor stressed that while ‘Covid fatgue’ may have set in, the need to act immediately could not be avoided.
Margo again stated that it was a ‘delicate balancing act, between our economy and the health and mental health of community members.’
Thursday afternoon, El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego released the following statement regarding the new guidelines. Judge Samaniego points out that guidelines apply to the entire county and includes the towns and unincorporated areas regarding the
(Regarding)the implementation of further restrictions throughout El Paso County which includes the Town of Anthony, Town of Clint, Town of Horizon, City of San Elizario, City of Socorro, the Village of Vinton, as well as all unincorporated areas of the County.
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- Limit occupancies back to 50%.
- After 9:00 PM restaurants are limited to take out and drive-thru only.
- Further limitations on gatherings in parks.
- Further limitations on indoor and outdoor sports, this will include not allowing spectators to attend.
- Further limitations of home gatherings.
- No visitors to facilities that care for the elderly.
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