New Mexico Reinstates Indoor Mask Mandate, Issues Certain Vaccine Mandates

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) announced Tuesday that the state would reinstate its indoor mask mandate and require employees at hospitals, nursing homes, state correctional facilities, and other “certain medical close-contact congregate settings” to receive the coronavirus vaccine.

The announcement came in a press release from Grisham’s office, which argued that vaccine and mask mandates are needed to protect “scarce hospital resources and the state’s ongoing economic recovery.”

Regardless of vaccination status, the mask mandate, which takes effect on Friday and rwill emain in effect until at least September 15, offers “limited exceptions” and “applies to all individuals aged 2 and older in all indoor public settings — except when eating or drinking.”

“We all have a role to play,” Grisham said in the statement. “No one wants to go backward. No one wants to see our recovery endangered by another – and preventable – surge of serious illness. No one wants a full hospital turning away New Mexicans who need care.”

“So mask up indoors to stop the spread,” she added. “And vaccinate if you haven’t vaccinated. These two simple steps will protect our health care resources and ensure our economy can continue to rebound.” – READ MORE