New Mexico

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico -- The Las Cruces mayor made a public plea at the City Council meeting Monday afternoon for residents not to gather at the city’s parks this upcoming Easter Sunday due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Mayor Ken Miyagishima said while he "understands the difficulties and inconvenience this may cause," he was counting on the public's support to "help reduce the spread and impact of this virus."

While some may want to celebrate the Easter holiday in outdoor public gatherings, Las Cruces officials emphasized that all parks within the city limits remained closed until further notice.

The city's parks closure come after New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s order on March 23 which required the halt of all non-essential business and activities statewide. The directive effectively closed many public places and forbid large gatherings of people.