NMED NEWS

The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) recommends that employees working in restaurants, food establishments and grocery stores wear gloves and a face covering when providing customers take-out, door/curbside service, or delivering food.

“Wearing a face covering and gloves is an essential step restaurants and food delivery services can take to fight the spread of COVID-19,” said NMED Cabinet Secretary James Kenney. “The Environment Department is ensuring these best practices are followed by conducting routine and complaint-based inspections of restaurants.”

Most people – including employees in the food service industry – should avoid using N-95 respirators or surgical masks, as these should be reserved for medical personnel. Using gloves and face coverings does not diminish the importance of maintaining social distancing of at least six feet and utilizing proper hand-washing techniques.

The New Mexico Department of Health recommends that New Mexicans wear cloth, non-medical face coverings when traveling outside the home for essential outings in alignment with guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

Learn how to make a face covering here. Additional COVID-19 resources from NMED are available here.