SANTA FE – On Friday, the New Mexico Department of Health renewed public health orders related to COVID-19, including a requirement to wear masks in public spaces and vaccination requirements for some workers. Those orders are attached.
The public health orders come as case numbers reach highs not seen since 2020 and as hospitals around the state continue to operate under crisis standards of care. The orders also underscore important updated guidelines which have reduced the timeline for isolation and quarantine from ten days to five, with the inclusion of a well-fitting mask for an additional five days.
These updates align with the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) recently-reduced COVID guidelines for isolation (when you are sick or infected with COVID) and quarantine (following exposure) from ten days to five days, as well as additional CDC guidance around the importance of mask wearing to prevent transmission.
The vast majority of COVID-19-related hospitalizations and deaths occur among the small number of unvaccinated New Mexicans, and DOH encourages New Mexicans 5 years and older to stay up to date on their vaccines and boosters. New Mexicans can sign up for vaccine appointments at vaccineNM.org, vaccineNM.org/kids, or vaccine.gov, or through their personal personal medical provider or pharmacist.
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NMDOH
Katy Diffendorfer, Health Equity Communications Manager | Katy.Diffendorfer@state.nm.us
The Department of Health works to promote health and wellness, improve health outcomes, and deliver services to all New Mexicans. As New Mexico’s largest state agency, DOH offers public health services in all 33 counties and collaborates with 23 Native American tribes, Pueblos and nations.