The Hobbs Municipal Court reopens today, Tuesday, August 31. The Court has been closed to the public since Friday, August 20. No information about the reason for the temporary closure was released by the City of Hobbs.
Facemasks Required Within Hobbs Municipal Court
With the reopening of the Court comes a mask mandate, requiring everyone within the Hobbs Municipal Court facility to wear a facemask.
This requirement is in compliance with the Supreme Court of New Mexico’s order of May 16, 2020. The order requires that “any person entering a New Mexico courthouse or judicial building must wear a mask to help control the spread of COVID-19.”
The mask requirement also complies with the New Mexico public health order of August 17 issued by New Mexico Acting Health Secretary David R. Scrase, M.D. and announced by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. The order temporarily re-implements a statewide requirement that “facemasks be worn in all public indoor spaces, with only limited exceptions, and regardless of vaccination status, to stem the state’s rising tide of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations,” stated the governor.
New “Phone Call and Text Messaging” Service Promotes Social Distancing
In addition to the facemask requirement for anyone who is within the Hobbs Municipal Court facility, a new social distancing procedure, which is completely voluntary, is being instituted by the Court. The public may opt to use or not to use the new “phone call and text messaging” service as a means of social distancing.
By using the service, a patron will be able to wait outside in his or her car instead of inside the courthouse for his or her “scheduled hearing”. The patron will be notified by text message that his or her scheduled hearing is about to commence.
Customers may enroll in this voluntary service at the front desk of the Court, states the press release [PDF].
If an individual registers for the service and then decides not to use it, an “opt out” feature is provided and may be used at any time simply by replying “STOP” to the text message.
City Apologizes for Any Inconvenience
The mask requirement is for the protection of everyone, and the City of Hobbs apologies for any inconvenience the public may experience as a result of the requirement. The city is simply striving to comply with the New Mexico Supreme Court Order requiring facemasks in all courthouses and judicial buildings and the state’s current indoor mask mandate, as well as with the Hobbs COVID-19 Safe Practices policy.
For questions, please call (575)397-9272.
Photo by Mark König /Unsplash
