Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced new COVID-19 regulations on Aug. 17.
Starting Aug. 20, everyone two years old and older is directed to wear a mask or multi-layer cloth face covering in all indoor public settings, except when a healthcare provider instructs otherwise or when the individual is eating or drinking.
Any business, establishment or non-profit (other than healthcare operations, utilities, or indigent care services) regularly visited by members of the public must report to the New Mexico Environment Department will monitor and report when an entity has 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 mean businesses, establishments or non-profits will have to cease operations.
Private educational institutions serving children and young adults from pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade, including home schools serving children who are not household members, shall adhere to the face covering and other COVID-Safe Practices requirements for in-person instruction contained in the state's "Reentry Guidance" for the Public Education Department and the "COVID-Response Toolkit for New Mexico's Public Schools" which can be found at https://webnew.ped.state.nm.us/reentry-district-and-school-guidance/.
Private educational institutions shall follow the reporting, testing, and closure requirements set forth in the aforementioned resources for the state's public schools.
This order shall be disseminated in English, Spanish, and other languages and will remain in effect through Sept. 15.
Any and all state officials authorized by the Department of Health may enforce the Aug. 17, 2021 Public Health Emergency Order NMSA 1978, Section 12-10A-19 by issuing a citation of violation, which may result in civil administrative penalties of up to $5,000 for each violation.
The New Mexico Department of Health, the New Mexico Department of Public Safety, the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and all other state departments and agencies are authorized to take all appropriate steps to ensure compliance with the order.
