Las Cruces adopts face mask requirement for retail & commercial businesses

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico— The Las Cruces City Council has approved a resolution requiring people to wear face coverings in retail and commercial businesses to help combat the spread of the coronavirus.

The council decision was made at a special meeting Monday afternoon.

Council members agree on the benefits of wearing masks to mitigate coronavirus spread, but they had debated in recent times how a requirement would be enforced.

Last week, city officials shelved an ordinance that would have broadly required wearing face coverings in public, with violations being a misdemeanor carrying a fine up to $500 and up to 90 days in jail.

According to a recent statement released by the city, the council “prefers voluntary compliance over enforcement and does not want the effort to be punitive.”

Officials said they narrowed the measure adopted Monday to require masks inside retail and commercial businesses because city emergency proclamations and state requirements cover other public settings.

Police Chief Patrick Gallagher had previously said a broad public mask requirement could worsen community relations and prompt open defiance from some people.