Court suspends debt collection

The New Mexico Supreme Court is temporarily suspending consumer debt collection such as garnishing wages and seizing assets in response to the coronavirus pandemic and its related economic downturn.

The court in Santa Fe ordered the temporary suspension Friday in a new effort to alleviate economic hardship amid a surge in unemployment.

PENNSYLVANIA

Governor lifts some controls

Gov. Tom Wolf will allow 12 more counties that are home to 1.3 million people to join the nearly 4 million who are now in the leastrestrictive phase of his threestep pandemic reopening plan, even as he warned of an outbreak in northwestern Pennsylvania.

Wolf said the 12 counties can join the “green” phase of his reopening plan this Friday. Sixteen more counties entered the “green” phase last week, joining 18 others.

At that level, gyms, barbers and hair salons can reopen as can indoor dining at restaurants and bars. Overnight camps and organized youth sports can begin, and gatherings of up to 250 people are allowed.

MICHIGAN

Businesses plan to reopen

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says barbershops and other personalcare businesses can reopen across the state on June 15.

Those businesses and places like gyms and movie theaters that were shut down to curb the coronavirus are being allowed to restart in northern Michigan even earlier — this week — but with restrictions.

In 32 northern counties, indoor social gatherings and organized events of up to 50 people will be permissible, subject to distancing. Outdoor gatherings of up to 250 will be allowed.

Indoor facilities such as theaters and sports arenas will open at 25% capacity or hold up to 250 people, whatever is smaller.