Mon. Dec 11th, 2023

Gov. Lujan Grisham orders self-isolation for air travelers to N.M.

SANTA FE (KSMX)- Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Friday issued an executive order requiring air travelers to New Mexico to self-isolate for at least 14 days to help combat the spread of COVID-19.

Per the press release from the Department of Health, the majority of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in New Mexico have resulted from interstate and international travel into the state.

“Because some individuals infected with COVID-19 are asymptomatic or have very mild symptoms, travelers may be unaware they are carrying the virus,” Lujan Grisham says in the order. “For this reason, persons arriving in New Mexico’s airports must self-isolate for a period of time sufficient to ensure that the public health and safety is not jeopardized.”

Under the governor’s order, air travelers to New Mexico are required to self-isolate for at least 14 days or for the duration of their stay in the state, whichever is shorter. People who are self-isolating may leave their place of lodging only to receive medical care, according to the order. Family or household members may visit an isolated person, but those visitors would then need to self-isolate for at least two weeks.

Lujan Grisham directed the Department of Health to take all steps needed to ensure the screening and isolation of air travelers to the state, including executing temporary holds of individuals or groups, obtaining court orders to require isolation and imposing civil and/or criminal penalties.

The governor’s executive order doesn’t apply to airline employees and those performing public safety or public health functions, such as military personnel, federal employees, employees of national defense contractors, emergency first responders, health care workers or employees of shipping and freight companies.

About Post Author