BREAKING: New Mexico County Refuses to Enforce Governor’s Health Orders, Tells Business Owners It’s Their Decision Whether to Open

New Mexico’s state government has yet to significantly roll back its lockdown order, but that’s not stopping Lea County.

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has taken some steps to relax the COVID-19 response in her state, like allowing restaurants to serve guests at 25% capacity, but businesses considered to be recreational or “close contact” (barbershops and salons, for example) are still ordered to stay closed.

Lea County Manager Mike Gallagher is having none of that bullsh*t.

“Several people have asked me when will Lea County open up for business? sic My answer is businesses will open when a business owner decides to open. It has always been the decision of a business owner to close or to open. The county will not stand in their way.”

Huh. Government officials just trusting people to make the right decision for themselves. Who’s ever heard of such a crazy thing?

Of course, Lea County isn’t exempt from state regulations, which means they can still definitely get in trouble with officials at the state level. Gallagher is very clear about that– but he’s also clear about other expectations.

More