COVID-19

ALL RESTRICTIONS IN NEW MEXICO HAVE BEEN LIFTED

All occupancy restrictions in the state of New Mexico have been lifted, and all businesses in the state may operate at 100% capacity. 

Beginning August 20, 2021, the state of New Mexico has issued a new public health order that requires individuals to wear face masks in indoor public spaces, except while eating or drinking. The requirement is designed to combat rising rates of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations in the state and across the nation, according to Acting Department of Health Secretary David R. Scrase, M.D.

The indoor mask requirement applies to all individuals who are aged 2 and older, regardless of their vaccination status. 

The health of our city’s residents and visitors is our highest priority, and we encourage visitors and residents alike to implement the recommendations of public health agencies to prevent the spread of illness. 

If you suspect you may have COVID-19, call the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) at (505) 827-0006. Please visit the New Mexico Department of Health COVID-19 website for details on indications and symptoms: http://cv.nmhealth.org.

For additional information and resources, call the NMDOH Coronavirus Hotline at 1-855-600-3453. 

For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, please visit the Centers for Disease Control or the New Mexico Department of Health websites:

• https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
• https://cv.nmhealth.org

Please feel free to refer travelers to our website for more information. 

NEW MEXICO PUBLIC HEALTH & ALBUQUERQUE COVID-19 UPDATES

New Mexico has lifted all occupancy restrictions and is fully reopened.

• See the most recent Public Health Order here.
• Masks are required to be worn in all indoor public spaces, except while eating or drinking. The indoor mask requirement went into effect on Friday, Aug. 20, and applies to all individuals who are aged 2 and older, regardless of their vaccination status. 
• Limitations on mass gatherings are no longer in place.
• Businesses, large events and organizations may operate at 100% of maximum capacity, whether indoor or outdoor. 
• Businesses may continue to require masks for employees, customers or visitors on the premises, regardless of vaccination status, at their discretion. Businesses also may require additional precautions for employees or customers at their discretion.
• The Albuquerque Museum, Balloon Museum, and BioPark will continue timed ticketing for now, but capacity restrictions are lifted and visitors can book times online or in person.
• Large special event permitting is now being approved. 
• The KiMo Theater and South Broadway Community Center and Theater are currently undergoing renovations and will open when complete.  Estimated dates are October for the KiMo Theater and August for the South Broadway Community Center.

Trainings and Webinars Provided by Visit Albuquerque 

Visit ABQ On-Demand Training "How to Generate Free Publicity for Your Business or Organization"

Promoting your business is more important than ever. As your marketing partner, Visit Albuquerque is excited to announce our newest installment of our On-Demand Training Series, focused on generating free publicity. This pre-recorded, on-demand workshop is geared toward local business owners and area marketers looking to gain media coverage for their business on both local and national levels.

Key Takeaways:

• Learn more about free, or earned, media and what role it plays in today’s environment
• Explore how to build a basic public relations strategy from scratch
• Discover free and simple tactics you can begin implementing immediately to secure media coverage of your business

Register and Watch Now 

Visit ABQ On-Demand Training "Digital Marketing During COVID-19: Part 1"

The team at Visit Albuquerque has put together a two-part, on-demand digital marketing workshop for our Partners during this uncertain time. 

This pre-recorded, on-demand workshop is made for local marketers and business owners who know they need to make adjustments to their digital strategy, as well as anyone seeking opportunities to generate more brand awareness and business fluidity during these trying times. 

This is the first part of a two-part series on digital marketing, focusing on general strategies and examples. Stay tuned for the second part of this digital marketing series for more in-depth tactical recommendations and instruction. 

The on-demand digital marketing workshop is free! 

Register and Watch Now

Visit ABQ On-Demand Training "Digital Marketing During COVID-19: Part 2"

The team at Visit Albuquerque has put together a two-part, on-demand digital marketing workshop for our Partners during this uncertain time. 

This pre-recorded, on-demand workshop dives into more detail on digital marketing tactics including Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Search Engine Marketing (SEM) and social media advertising.  

This is the second part of a two-part series on digital marketing. The first part of the series focuses on general digital marketing strategies and examples. 

Register and Watch Part 2 Now

Visit ABQ National Travel & Tourism Week Virtual Open House 

On Thursday, May 7, over 100 Partners joined us for our Visit ABQ Virtual Open House and National Travel and Tourism Week webinar. Because in-person rallies and events that have been hallmarks of National Travel and Tourism Week in years past were not an option this year, Visit Albuquerque wanted to celebrate with partners in a way that continued moving the industry forward with early recovery discussions. 

Cainan Harris, General Manager of The Clyde Hotel and Visit Albuquerque's Board of Directors Chair, shared a message of appreciation and support to the frontline workers who are providing essential services in this difficult time.

The webinar included a presentation on current industry research and travel sentiment, as well as an update from New Mexico's Cabinet Secretary of Tourism Jen Paul Schroer on the plan for reopening the state. 

The program also included updates on Visit Albuquerque’s current sales, marketing and communications efforts, which are focused on positioning the city to welcome back visitors when the time is right.

Watch the Recorded Webinar Now

Visit ABQ Global Meetings Industry Day Virtual Open House 

On Tuesday, April 14, Visit Albuquerque hosted a live webinar update from on Global Meetings Industry Day. You can watch the recording of the update and virtual open house now. The live webinar included the following topics and takeaways:

• Recognition of Global Meetings Industry Day
• Update on Visit ABQ’s efforts on behalf of our partners
• Overview of the resources available to our partners
• Research regarding the effects and implications of COVID-19 on the hospitality industry
• Opportunity to engage with our team and ask us your questions

Watch the Recorded Webinar Now 

New Mexico Safe Certified Program

The state’s hospitality industry has announced the launch of the New Mexico Safe Certified program, an initiative that trains business owners and managers in COVID-Safe Practices in order to help ensure that New Mexico is the safest state in the Southwest for employees, residents, customers and guests. The program offers free, on-demand training courses for the following hospitality businesses:

• Hotels and lodging
• Restaurants
• Golf courses
• Tour operators
• Retailers
• Spas and salons

Demonstrate Your Commitment to Safety

Each course consists of short video lessons that review the COVID-Safe Practices (CSPs) issued by the State of New Mexico, providing guidance on best practices, compliance and implementation. After completing the course, the viewer takes a brief quiz to ensure understanding. A hospitality business can earn NM Safe Certification when its management team has completed all required courses and passed the quizzes.

Tourism-related businesses that have earned NM Safe Certification are listed in a directory and receive other benefits, including:

• The right to display the NM Safe Certified seal on your website and decal at your location
• Access to the NM Safe Certified Toolkit, which includes useful samples and templates
• Admission to the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Procurement Collective
• A digital advertising credit worth up to $2,000 toward the purchase of a digital media package with New Mexico magazine through Jan. 31, 2021

You’ve Taken the Promise; Now It’s Time to Get Certified

You might be wondering how the NM Safe Certified program differs from the NM Safe Promise campaign announced earlier this month. The two efforts are designed to support and complement each other. By making the Safe Promise, New Mexicans pledge to take individual actions that keep themselves and others safe, such as wearing a face covering and staying six feet apart while in public. By earning NM Safe Certification, businesses demonstrate that they have completed training on the CSPs and are dedicated to following best practices in their business operations. Visit Albuquerque encourages our Partners to participate in both programs in order to instill confidence in residents, customers, clients and guests as the state reopens for travel, recreation and business.

Click here to get certified. 

Additional COVID-19 Resources

Visit Albuquerque is also closely monitoring updates and advice from local, state, federal and international organizations that are actively monitoring COVID-19 (Coronavirus) including:

The New Mexico Department of Health

The City of Albuquerque 

The State of New Mexico

Center for Disease Control and Prevention 

World Health Organization

What Government Agencies are doing in Response to COVID-19
 

Travel Industry and Business Resources

The New Mexico Small Business Investment Corporation (NMSBIC), at its March 23, 2020 meeting, committed up to $25 million to its lending partners to assist New Mexico businesses that have been impacted by market disruption related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. Find more information here. 

Applications are now available for a State of New Mexico emergency loan program to support larger businesses hardest hit by the COVID-19 health emergency. Find more information here. 

The New Mexico Tourism Department (NMTD) 

NMTD Update on COVID-19 Webinar 

The New Mexico Economic Development Department

New Mexico Economic Development Department Small Business Guide

One Albuquerque's Guide for Businesses and Organizations

Workforce Solutions

The U.S. Travel Association