Mayor Keller Outlines Next Phase of Reopening for City Facilities and Services

June 1, 2020

Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller today outlined what’s next for City facilities and services as the City of Albuquerque, along with the rest of New Mexico, enters the next phase of reopening the economy. Beginning today and continuing over the next two weeks, a number of facilities will begin to reopen to the public with COVID-safe measures in place to keep the public and City employees safe and healthy.

“Thanks to the efforts of everyone in Albuquerque, we’re able to move into the next phase of reopening, which means more City facilities and services will be available to the public,” stated Mayor Keller. “City departments have been meticulously planning for this next phase, and we are ready to go with COVID-safe practices to keep everyone safe and healthy. Even as our City government takes this next step and businesses around Albuquerque reopen, it’s critical for everyone to continue to do their part by social distancing, wearing a mask, and following the guidelines set forth by public health officials.”

Mayor Keller outlined the plans to reopen following announcements from the State last week that now allow restaurants, gyms, and hotels to open at 50% capacity, while indoor malls, hair and nail salons, barber shops, tattoo parlors, and massage services may begin operating at 25% capacity.

The City has protocols in place that direct staff to observe social distancing and deliver essential services. The City will limit overall capacity in buildings and facilities, and strictly follow CDC guidance and State public health orders on gathering sizes. Sign-in and reservation requirements enable contact traceable quarantine, and quarantine protocols are in place at each site. In accordance with the State’s public health orders, staff and the public will be required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and facilities will be regularly and extensively cleaned. Daily screening, including temperature testing, are used at each site.

Things changing now and in the next phases with limited capacity, COVID-safe measures in place and no special events include the following:

WEEK OF JUNE 1, 2020

• Summer Food Program begins
• Cafes at Golf Courses will open at 50% dine-in capacity
• Environmental Health Department will continue to expand restaurant inspections
• Albuquerque Fire Rescue will expand outreach to limited-capacity businesses, such as barber shops and hair and nail salons
• Balloon Fiesta Park reopens to daily users and golf
• Libraries will reopen with limited services on Tuesday, June 2

WEEK OF JUNE 8, 2020

• Summer programs begin at Community and Multigenerational Centers, Parks, and Cultural sites
• City pools open for lap swim and private parent/child swim lessons
• Tingley Beach reopens with free, timed ticketing
• Botanic Garden reopens with timed ticketing
• ART service resumes Saturday, June 13, and ABQ Ride and Sun Van service will begin expanding service

LATER THIS SUMMER

• BioPark, museums, recreational swim at City pools, recreation leagues and youth sports, community centers, senior centers, and multigenerational centers will begin reopening.

Child, youth, and summer programs to open in the coming weeks during phase one with varying limitations in place include:

Community Center Programs Registration: play.cabq.gov

• Lottery took place May 11 – 20 (2,000 signed up for approximately 1,200 slots)
• Registration took place May 26 – May 29

Aquatics Programs Registration: play.cabq.gov

• Private lessons at West Mesa and Los Altos register June 1, programs begin June 15
• Group swim lessons expected to begin registration June 15 with programs beginning July 6

Recreation Programs Registration: play.cabq.gov

• Tennis lessons at Jerry Cline and Sierra Vista register June 1, programs begin June 15
• Pickleball lessons at Manzano Mesa Pickleball Complex register June 1, programs begin June 15

Open Space programs Registration: play.cabq.gov

• Register for Summer Series hikes and events ongoing

Cultural Programs Registration: www.cabq.gov/culturalservices

• Register now for programs including Camp BioPark, Mayor’s Creative Youth Corps, Explora, and the Summer Reading Program

The programs beginning in phase one will operate at a 5:1 ratio and in accordance with State guidelines and best practices.

The following essential services have remained open during this time, and will continue to operate as they have:

• Police and fire services, including fire stations and police substations
• Emergency childcare for essential workers (school-aged plus early childhood)
• Solid Waste collection services and convenience centers
• Senior meal sites for meal pick-up and delivery
• Health and Social Service Centers in each quadrant
• Key ABQ RIDE routes on Saturday-type service
• Small Business Office, Film Office, and Economic Development by appointment and phone
• Construction Permitting, Fire Marshal Plan Review and Development Plan Review by appointment and phone
• Animal Welfare adoptions and animal surrender by appointment or in emergencies
• Civilian Police Oversight, and many of the City’s Boards and Commissions by appointment, phone, and using virtual meetings
• Drive Up Wi-Fi Programs, GovTV, YouTube and the suite of OneABQ Media
• Office of Civil Rights and Consumer Protection open and processing complaints

The presentation that City officials used during today’s briefing can be found here.

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Emergencies challenge the delivery and management of emergency public information, warning and emergency protective action notifications. The Albuquerque Joint Information Center (JIC) functions as a coordinated Albuquerque Metro Area public information system that will gather and analyze data related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in New Mexico and serve as a source of accurate and comprehensive information.