IT’S OFFICIAL: NEW MEXICO IS SOON TO BE BACK OPEN
On Friday June 18th, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has confirmed that New Mexico will retire its color-coded, county-by-county system and all COVID-19 health restrictions on day-to-day activity in two weeks. This will allow the thousands of vaccinations administered this week as part of the incentive program to fully take effect.
Beginning July 1st, all limitations on mass gatherings will be gone. Businesses, large events and organizations may operate at 100 percent of maximum capacity, whether indoor or outdoor. Businesses may still adopt and require additional precautions for employees and/or patrons, at their discretion, and are still advised to enact whatever social distancing and facemasking measures may be appropriate to ensure the health and safety of customers and staff, in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance.
Earlier this Spring, state health officials set a goal of 60 percent vaccination rate before reopening the state fully. As of this afternoon, with state vaccination data through end of day Thursday, June 17, the New Mexico Department of Health reports 59.4 percent of eligible New Mexicans have completed their vaccination series, with more data still to come in.
“All that said, this is an exciting announcement. We’re rounding up, setting a date for a conclusive introduction of the new normal: July 1,” Lujan Grisham said. “We have made incredible progress, and I’m proud of New Mexico. The simple fact is: We are beating this pandemic. The best is yet to come.”
Until July 1, all counties in New Mexico will remain at the Turquoise level of restrictions. The state will continue to promote and execute COVID-19 vaccinations all across the state. All New Mexicans age 12+ are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine and are strongly encouraged to schedule their vaccine appointment vaccineNM.org. The state’s Vax 2 the Max Sweepstakes, including five $1 million drawings (for New Mexicans who have received at least one vaccine shot) and a $5 million grand prize (for New Mexicans who have completed their vaccination series), continues; vaccinated New Mexicans who would like a chance to win must opt in to the sweepstakes at vax2themaxNM.org.
According to data provided by the New Mexico Chamber of Commerce, the following counties have the best rate of individuals that have completed their vaccination series.
- Los Alamos County: 81.5 percent
- McKinley County: 77.9 percent
- Taos County: 69.7 percent
- Rio Arriba: 67.5 percent
- Santa Fe County: 67 percent
- Sandoval County: 65.6 percent
- Cibola County: 64.2 percent
- Bernalillo County: 62.2 percent
- San Juan County: 61.7 percent
- Guadalupe County: 60.9 percent
As of June 14, the New Mexico counties with the worst completed vaccination rates, and where risk of infection and illness are the highest, are:
- Roosevelt County: 28.3 percent
- Curry County: 34.4 percent
- Torrance County: 35.5 percent
- Eddy County: 35.7 percent
- Quay County: 37.2 percent
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