Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham ordered that because New Mexico is at high risk for exposure or transmission of COVID-19, all individuals 18 years of age and older living or working in this state are eligible to receive a booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine as of Nov. 12.
The newly-released Public Health Order from Department of Health Acting Secretary David R. Scrase, M. D. directs all individuals ages two years old and above to wear a mask or multi-layer cloth face covering in all indoor public settings, except when eating or drinking. This order does not prohibit any business, house of worship, non-profit entity, or other entity from imposing more stringent requirements.
It further calls for any business, establishment or non-profit (other than healthcare operations, utilities, or indigent care services), to report any occurrence of a rapid response to the New Mexico Environment Department.
The NMED shall monitor when an entity has had four or more rapid responses within a 14-day period.
Rapid responses will be counted on a rolling basis. Four or more rapid responses will not require entities to cease operations.
All businesses, establishments, and non-profit entities must adhere to COVID-safe practices.
Private educational institutions, including home schools serving children who are not household members, shall adhere to the face covering and other COVID-safe practices contained in the N.M. Public Education Department’s “Reentry Guidance” and “COVID-19 Response Toolkit for New Mexico’s Public Schools” at https://webnew.ped.state.nm.us/reentry-district-and-school-guidance/ and may operate up to maximum capacity.
Private educational institutions will be required to follow the reporting, testing, and closure requirements set forth by the NMPED for the state’s public schools.
Any and all state officials authorized by the Dept. of Health may enforce this order by issuing a citation of violation, which may result in civil administrative penalties of up to $5,000 for each violation under NMSA 1978, Section 12-10A-19.
This order shall take effect immediately and remain in effect through Dec. 10.
