COVID-Safety Measures Remain in Place in City Buildings
Plus: City Still Offers Free Testing, Vaccinations
The Facilities Division of the Public Works Department has worked throughout the pandemic to make City of Santa Fe buildings safer for members of the public and staff. Over the last two years, a number of changes have been made to cleaning and maintenance practices, and new equipment has been introduced.
These measures improve indoor air quality and reduce transmission of viruses and bacteria, making City buildings safer for all users:
Custodial staff are applying an EPA certified anti-microbial disinfectant daily to touchpoints in common areas, and twice a week in office areas.
Many high-traffic buildings, such as Recreation Centers and the Municipal Courthouse, had temperature scanners installed at public entrances during the peak of the pandemic.
Touchless infrared temperature scanners have been installed near time clocks for employees to check their temperature when coming to work.
Hands-free plumbing fixtures, including faucets, toilets, and urinals, have been installed in 16 buildings so far, with more to come.
MERV-13 filters, which help to trap virus particles, have been installed throughout the City, particularly in Recreation Centers, Libraries, and City Hall. These filters are changed every 4-6 weeks, instead of the previous quarterly changes.
In high-traffic buildings including City Hall, Recreation Centers, Market Station, Libraries, and the Police Department, hospital-grade mobile air purifiers are used. These machines use ultraviolet-C lights (UV-C) to destroy the virus and HEPA filters to capture them, and they increase air turnover in the spaces.
Free Testing and Vaccination Clinic at
Midtown Public Safety Building
Rapid PCR Testing continues to be available four days a week at the Midtown Public Safety Building from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
At-home test kits are available at City of Santa Fe libraries, recreation centers, and tourism offices; limit one per person.
Moderna and Pfizer vaccinations are available every other Thursday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm; tomorrow, Thursday, April 7, is an off day, and the next vaccination day is April 14.
Directions to Public Safety Building on the Midtown site, 1600 St. Michaels Drive: Enter from St. Michaels, at the T-intersection turn right and then turn left at first driveway on the left into the Public Safety Building (#2) Parking lot. Bring insurance card and vaccination card, if you have them