“Its infection trend shows no sign of flattening,” a press release from the governor’s office said. Okay, so they’ve got a problem in McKinley County & Gallup. But a 4 day lockdown isn’t going to accomplish anything.  And if that ‘Riot Control Act’ is invoked again for a situation that isn’t a riot now…….

New Mexico governor orders roads closed to city of Gallup in effort to stop coronavirus spread

New Mexico Gov. Lujan Grisham invoked the state’s Riot Control Act to slow the spread of coronavirus and sealed off the roads into and out of the hard-hit city of Gallup, she announced Friday.

To help control a surging outbreak in the city, the Democratic governor locked down the city at the request of Gallup’s mayor, Grisham said in a news release.

The Riot Control Act allows the state’s governor to enact temporary restrictions under a state of emergency, including prohibiting residents from being on public streets and the use of certain streets and highways.

Beginning noon Friday, all roads into the city were shut down and businesses were required to close from 5 p.m. until 8 a.m. in the city of 70,000. Additionally, only two people are allowed in a vehicle at the same time.

The governor said residents should shelter in place “unless absolutely necessary for health or safety or a medical emergency.”

Anyone who fails to comply with the restrictions will be found guilty of a misdemeanor, or a fourth-degree felony if they are found to be breaking the rules more than once.

The city’s lockdown will expire May 4, as the Riot Control Act terminates automatically at noon on the third day after it becomes effective.