**Click here for information about City facilities and programs and a list of closures and cancellations.**

What is the City of Rio Rancho doing about COVID-19?

The City of Rio Rancho has been working and will continue to work closely with local organizations and agencies, including the NMDOH and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding recommendations, messaging, preparations, and updates.

On March 17, 2020, the Governing Body approved a Resolution declaring a local Health Care Emergency for the City of Rio Rancho. Doing so allows the City to issue special orders and rules related to public health concerns and to potentially seek state and federal aid for costs associated with a public health emergency.

The City is taking precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by increasing the frequency of facility cleanings and by sanitizing all first responder equipment. Additionally, the City is updating contingency plans to prepare for interruptions to municipal government services. All official city government out-of-state travel has been suspended.

Due to increased public health safety measures related to COVID-19, Rio Rancho City Hall and other City facilities are closed to the public until further notice. During this time, staff at City Hall will still provide services to citizens electronically or by phone. Other City services, such as emergency services, road repair and maintenance, utilities billing, and Development Services-related will continue to be fully operational.

 For information about City facilities and programs and a list of closures and cancellations, please click here. 

Due to constantly evolving dynamics, as we move through this public health emergency, situations could arise that would warrant the City to make changes to city facility access and services.

What can citizens do to help?

Citizens can educate themselves about the virus and about prevention by visiting http://cv.nmhealth.org/. Citizens can also help prevent the spread of this virus by:

• Washing their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. This cannot be stressed enough. 
• Social distancing—Avoiding close contact with people who are sick. 
• Covering their cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throwing the tissue in the trash. 
• Avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces. 
• Staying home when they are sick, except to get medical care.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), symptoms can include fever, cough, and shortness of breath.

What should I do if I think I have COVID-19?

Before calling 9-1-1 or going to the emergency room, call the New Mexico Department of Health’s Coronavirus Hotline at 1-855-600-3453. Additionally, per the NMDOH, if any of the following are true, call the NMDOH at (505) 827-0006:

• You have fever, cough, or shortness of breath, and in the 14 days before your symptoms started, you visited China, Iran, Italy, South Korea, or were in contact with a person known to have COVID-19
• You do not have fever, cough, or shortness of breath, but you did travel to China, Iran, Italy, or South Korea, in the last 14 days, or were in contact with a person known to have COVID-19