Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
New Mexico’s governor announced Tuesday afternoon she was re-implementing a statewide requirement that all masks be worn in all indoor settings regardless of an individual’s vaccination status, effective Friday.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham also said during an online briefing that the state was requiring vaccinations or weekly negative COVID-19 tests for all hospital workers, congregate care workers and school workers.
The re-implemented mask requirement applies to all people age 2 and older in all indoor public settings, except when eating or drinking.
The new mask mandate will remain in effect until at least Sept. 15. The Friday deadline for reimplementation was to give businesses time to adjust to it.
Lujan Grisham said all school personnel must show proof of vaccination or undergo a weekly negative coronavirus test, effective Aug. 23.
All workers in hospitals, congregate care settings -- such as nursing homes, hospices and state prisons -- must be vaccinated. Those who are unvaccinated must receive their first shot within 10 days and the second shot within 40 days after the first.
Those who have religious and medical exemptions aren’t required to be vaccinated but must undergo weekly COVID-19 tests and be negative.
A total of 341 people in New Mexico were hospitalized with the virus as of Tuesday, nearly doubling from just two weeks ago. Data also indicates more hospitalizations are being seen with children with the rise of the more contagious Delta variant.
The number of COVID-19 cases in New Mexico and Quay County also has risen sharply during that time, as well, to its highest point since the previous coronavirus surge in the late fall.
Lujan Grisham said she was prompted to reimpose an indoor mask mandate to protect hospitals, the state’s economic recovery and children under age 12 who are not eligible for the vaccine. The vaccine doesn’t offer 100% protection from the Delta variant, but it greatly reduces the rate of hospitalizations and deaths.
She added that there aren’t enough hospital workers to deal with COVID-19 patients, plus patients who need other health care.
“The governor, acting upon the counsel and analysis of the state Medical Advisory Team and state health officials, may decide to extend or lift the requirement as necessary,” a news release from the state Department of Health stated.
Businesses, churches and other entities may enact stricter requirements at their discretion.
Previously, the state had only recommended that people who had been fully vaccinated resume wearing masks in indoor spaces. Unvaccinated individuals remained required to wear masks in indoor public settings.
Those who wish to be vaccinated can register for an appointment at VaccineNM.org.