From Fox News:
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.
It is the first town in the U.S. thusly isolated.
Here is the dramatic government press release.
One of the roads is Route 491, once Route 666.
Notes Wikipedia: “Gallup is known as the ‘Heart of Indian Country’ or ‘The Heart of Indians’ because it is on the edge of the Navajo reservation and is home to members of many other tribes as well. U.S. Route 66 passed through Gallup, and the town’s name is mentioned in the lyrics of the song ‘(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66’ (“You’ll see Amarillo and Gallup, NM”). In 2003, the U.S. and New Mexico Departments of Transportation renumbered US Highway 666, the city’s other major highway, as Route 491. Former Governor Bill Richardson pushed for (and got) the number changed because ‘666’ is associated with Satan and Devil worship, and thus it was considered “cursed” or a ‘Beast’ to some locals. The situation was exacerbated by the high death toll on the highway, which was largely a result of high rates of drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and budget shortfalls among both the New Mexico Department of Transportation and state and local law enforcement agencies.”
We’ll have a report about the alleged phenomena on this road next week. [see also: Lying Wonders, Strangest Things]
From CNN:
All roads into the city have been closed, businesses must close between 5 p.m. and 8 a.m. and vehicles can only carry two individuals, according to the governor’s order. The governor is recommending that residents remain at home except for emergency outings and those essential for health and safety. “I recognize this request is unusual and constitutes a drastic measure, and the emergency powers set out under the Riot Control Act should be invoked sparingly,” Gallup Mayor Louis Bonaguidi wrote in his letter. “However, the COVID-19 outbreak in the city of Gallup is a crisis of the highest order. Immediate action is necessary.”
