NEW MEXICO - All 33 New Mexico counties are allowed to operate at the least restrictive level as of Wednesday, with the entire state reporting in the Turquoise Level for the first time during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The New Mexico Department of Health updated the COVID-19 county map Wednesday, June 2, with all 33 counties at the Turquoise Level of the Red-Yellow-Green-Turquoise framework. This indicates significantly decreased risk of viral transmission statewide.
A new public health order was also released Wednesday, which states all counties will operate at Turquoise regardless of gating criteria, barring exceptional circumstances such as a mass outbreak.
Two weeks ago, the only non-Turquoise county was Chaves County, which was reporting in the Green Level. After turning Turquoise, a county s color level will be updated every four weeks rather than every two.
threeof the following
twoof the following in
two consecutive reporting periods: 1) a new COVID-19 average daily case incidence rate of no greater than 10 cases per 100,000 inhabitants during the most recent two-week period, 2) an average percent of positive COVID-19 test results less than or equal to 7.5%, or 3) a fully vaccinated rate at or above 40%.
Essential businesses (non-retail):No capacity restrictions but operations must be limited to only those absolutely necessary to carry out essential functions
Essential retail spaces:75% of maximum capacity for indoor spaces and 100% outdoor
Food and drink establishments (if NM Safe Certified):75% of maximum capacity for indoor dining; 75% of maximum capacity for outdoor dining
FARMINGTON The updated COVID-19 restrictions map released Wednesday by the New Mexico Department of Health places 32 counties at the most-relaxed Turquoise Level of COVID-19 restrictions and one at the Green Level.
Both of those levels place fewer restrictions on businesses, churches and the size of public gatherings than the state’s other color-coded restriction levels.
The new map shows that no counties were in the Yellow or Red Levels as of May 19.
San Juan County reported 12 new cases May 19 and no new deaths, according to the health department s daily report. Statewide there were 160 new cases and four new deaths, bringing the number of cases reported in New Mexico since the pandemic began to 201,489.
SANTA FE - The state s health and education leaders updated reporters on the COVID-19 pandemic Wednesday to say evidence showed schools weren t vectors for virus spread, vaccinations were on track to reach the state s goal by the end of June and several counties are in danger of slipping into more restrictive levels of reopening.
State health officials also said they were awaiting more guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on how to enforce recent guidance eliminating the need for fully vaccinated people to wear face masks in most settings, but conceded an honor system may be the most practical way to go.
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LAS CRUCES - New Mexico Department of Health updated the state s county COVID-19 map Wednesday, with 32 counties remaining in the least restrictive Turquoise Level and Chaves County advancing to the Green Level.
Doña Ana County turned Turquoise May 5 when the state updated the gating criteria for its Red-Yellow-Green-Turquoise framework. When a county turns Turquoise, color levels will be updated every four weeks rather than every two. However, county averages are still updated.
To get to Green, counties are required to meet two of these three: a rate of no more than a daily average of 10 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 for two weeks, an average percent of positive COVID-19 tests less than or equal to 7.5% and a fully vaccinated rate at or above 45%. If a county meets all three criterion or two of three for two consecutive reporting periods, it gets to Turquoise.