New Mexico employers rush to get mandated face masks for workers to wear

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico -- Employers across New Mexico are looking to buy more face coverings now that it has become mandatory for workers to wear them, specifically in the restaurant and commercial food industries.

According to Pete Ramondo, who helps manage the Save Mart grocery store in Las Cruces, his team is looking into purchasing some face shields for their workers to wear.

He said that the face shields provide a little more room for the wearer than the standard medical masks and could be a more comfortable option.

"We have a supplier and we supply one mask for every employee and then they are responsible for their own after that," said Ramondo. "They are washable and reusable."

According to the state, all employees must wear their face coverings when in the presence of others.

Customers said they feel more comfortable in the grocery store with workers wearing masks but are still a long ways off from going out to enjoy a night on the town.

Meanwhile, at eateries and diners across the state, already cash strapped business owners are going deeper into their own pockets to make those mask orders.

"Any expenditure is going to make it even tougher," said Lorenzo's Italian restaurant owner Vincent Vaccaro. "You find them where you can. I have not even received the bills yet for the last order of masks that I just ordered yesterday on the fly."

Retailers are not be required to provide face coverings for customers, but are encouraged to post signage strongly encouraging customers to wear their own masks.