N.M. reinstitutes mask mandate, requires vaccines in high-risk settings
As COVID-19 cases fueled by the highly contagious delta variant continue to worry health officials and stress New Mexico's already short-staffed hospital network, the state once again will require face masks to be worn in all public indoor spaces under a public health order issued Tuesday. In addition, all employees at hospitals and congregate care facilities, such as nursing homes, hospice centers and prisons, must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Unvaccinated employees must obtain their first dose within 10 days and their second shot, depending on the type of vaccine, within 40 days of the first.
"We know that the pandemic is not over and that we're in a pivotal moment in the state," Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said during a virtual briefing. "Our top, top priorities are always saving lives, protecting our hospitals, but we can't continue our economic recovery and our positive economic journey if we have out of control COVID cases in the state," she added.
All employees at public, private and charter schools also will be required to be vaccinated or tested for COVID-19 weekly — a requirement that mirrors the policy for state government workers. Exemptions to the vaccine requirement include having a qualifying medical condition recognized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a contra-indication to a COVID-19 vaccine; having a disability requiring a separate accommodation; or a sincerely held religious belief requiring a separate accommodation, a news release states.
Anyone granted an exemption by the operator of a hospital or congregate care facility must provide documentation of COVID-19 testing on a weekly basis.
https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/lujan-grisham-reinstitutes-mask-mandate-requires-vaccines-in-high-risk-settings/article_a733a86c-ff6e-11eb-9bf6-a748cabff4fc.html