Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
The New Mexico Department of Health announced on Friday, in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s updated guidance, that vaccinated individuals will no longer be required to wear masks in indoor or outdoor settings.
Individuals who are not yet fully vaccinated still are required under public health orders to wear masks in public settings. Individuals are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after either their second dose of either Pfizer or Moderna or their lone dose of Johnson & Johnson.
It wasn't immediately clear how or whether state officials might try to confirm who's been vaccinated.
“Getting vaccinated is the ticket to a safe and healthy COVID-free future,” Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said in a release. “We are close and getting closer. But that all depends on New Mexicans continuing to protect themselves and their community by getting vaccinated – please find vaccines near you at vaccineNM.org and get your shot.”
New Mexicans are encouraged to continue adhering to COVID-safe practices, the release stated.
All individuals, including those who are fully vaccinated, should continue to wear well-fitted masks where required by localities, tribal entities and individual businesses. The state fully supports businesses and workplaces that may continue to require masks for employees and/or customers on the premises, regardless of vaccination status.
CDC guidance still requires masks for all individuals at healthcare settings, correctional facilities, homeless shelters and public transportation.
As the majority of students remain unvaccinated, the CDC’s guidance for school settings remains unchanged. Pending additional guidance from the CDC, masks continue to be required in schools for all students and school staff regardless of vaccination status.
Mass gathering limits and the statewide framework remain in place. As previously announced by the governor and state officials, New Mexico will graduate from the color-coded county risk system and remove most pandemic-related restrictions on commercial activities when 60% of eligible New Mexicans have been fully vaccinated. As of Thursday, 51% of eligible New Mexicans have been fully vaccinated.
All New Mexicans age 16+ are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine and may schedule their vaccine appointment at vaccineNM.org or by calling 1-855-600-3453. Parents of New Mexicans age 12-15 may register their child for the approved Pfizer vaccine at vaccineNM.org.