New Mexico to begin COVID-19 spot testing at restaurants

KFOX 14 ^ | 10/26/20 | Salina Madrid

[brownwill6767]

LAS CRUCES, NM (KFOX14/CBS4) — COVID-19 spot testing at restaurants across New Mexico begins this week.

The new initiative is part of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s new public health order that went into effect on Friday.

“Businesses will be notified ahead of time that [the Department of Health] will be coming to do these spot tests and if employees refuse, then they can only provide outdoor dining at 75 percent capacity, they will not be able to provide indoor dining,” Communication Director for the New Mexico Dept. of Health Marisa Maez said.

The National Guard will be helping the NMDOH administer the tests. Rapid tests will be used, giving businesses results within minutes.

[brownwill6767]

“The rapid test that we would be using if we went to do spot testing on the employees are very reliable and they help us determine on the spot whether someone needs to be sent home,” Maez said.

Angela Stoltenberg, owner of Boba Café in Las Cruces, said she has mixed emotions about the new rule.

“I know that they’re doing it because they want to combat the spread of COVID, but I guess randomly testing my employees, you know, it’s sort of like I feel it infringes on their rights, you know?” Stoltenberg said.

[Mariner]

really...who doesn’t want a free covid test?

what business would not want all their employees tested for free?

[RushingWater]

Yeah, where is this allowed in the constitution?

[cnsmom]

Last week I went out to get a manicure and the temperature check indicated. I had a slightly elevated temperature. Ever person that entered the shop had the same temperature as I did. Don’t trust any of this nonsense.

[CedarDave]

Restaurant employees (and other businesses selling direct to the public) also have to receive state certification (covid information, proper safety protocols, etc.) to continue to serve the public.

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[livius]

I think this one - and actually, all of Lujan’s orders - should be taken to court.

[Buckeye McFrog]

translation: You had better not yell at staff, refuse their day off request or upset them in any way, or they’ll close-down your dining room.

[Rj Snows]

So the National Guard is going to be walking into restaurants armed I’m sure so that way if they have to they can what shoot to the customers in the store and they’re going to test if you have covid-19.

Can stop the rioting in the cities, the burning of the city’s, but we can go into restaurants and forced the people to do things very interesting I say hell no.

[CedarDave]

Our business goes one better. In addition to temp checks, we have our O2 saturation and pulse rate checked and recorded together with answering a series of the usual questions - travel out of state, contact with covid positive persons, etc. Takes just a couple of minutes as you enter and as a senior I don’t mind it.

[doc maverick]

This horse manure and a huge waste of money.
State is just trying to raise taxes. And if they don’t pay for their testing order out of taxpayer funds, guess who pays?
YOU or you WORKPLACE.
This is a RIP OFF.
They are already demanding it for healthcare workers in Oregon.
BLUE STATE MONEY MAKING SCHEME.
I guess there was no shortage of test kits. Blue states were just hoarding them for future use.

[bluejean]

Only a few steps away from “Papers, please”.

[Mariner]

“I think this one - and actually, all of Lujan’s orders - should be taken to court.”

If it were the very common hepatitis A, which has also kills the weak, would you be of the same opinion?

Measles?

The good news is that these places have a pathway to stay open.

[CedarDave]

The above is just part of it - 25% indoor occupancy and the owner or waitress comes around with a notebook asking you to print your name and provide a phone number. Not yet required at the big box stores or super markets.

[Mariner]

“Yeah, where is this allowed in the constitution?”

The Tenth Amendment. One of the original Bill of Rights.

[cnsmom]

Stay well.

[sanjuanbob]

What’s your age have to do with anything?

[CedarDave]

The good news is that these places have a pathway to stay open.

And they'll do what they have too stay in business.

The NM Supreme Court (with all Dems) has upheld her draconian orders. In fact, Pubs have two candidates for the court on the ballot and are running nicely composed TV ads in their support.

[CedarDave]

What’s your age have to do with anything?

Com' on man, you know!

[sanjuanbob]

OK, I get it...the thing.

[NEMDF]

Our granddaughters stayed with us for a few days, and we were supposed to check their temps before they went to school each day. Both registered 97 at every time we checked. The thermometer was one of those automatic, quick ones, that you press on the forehead. Their mom is a pediatric nurse, and thinks this is the best thermometer for home use.

I don’t think that 97 was correct, but at least it was consistent, and didn’t indicate fevers.