Department of Health county map update: 32 counties operating at Red Level beginning Dec. 2

Layouts BreadCrumbs BreadCrumbs SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Health on Wednesday announced the updated statewide COVID-19 map for the two-week period beginning Dec. 2, with 32 counties at the Red Level at one county at the Yellow Level. No counties meet the criteria to operate at the Green Level at present. The color-coding of the map, in accordance with the state’s amended emergency public health order , will be updated biweekly on Wednesdays. The next update is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 16. It and other associated demographic COVID-19 data are available at cv.nmhealth.org. San Miguel County meets the criteria for operating at the Yellow Level from Dec. 2 through at least Wednesday, Dec. 16. Under the requirements of the state’s emergency public health order, when a county moves to a less restrictive level, the requirements of the less restrictive level take effect immediately. A rising positivity rate has pushed Los Alamos County to the Red Level. Under the requirements of the state’s emergency public health order, when a county moves to a more restrictive level, the requirements of the more restrictive level must be enacted within 48 hours. The state has transitioned to a county-by-county system in which key health metrics – the per-capita incidence of new COVID-19 cases and average test positivity within county borders – will determine the level of public health risk and requirement for each county. The color-coded tier system – Red Level, Yellow Level and Green Level – is intended to enable counties to shed burdensome restrictions and provide local communities the flexibility to operate more day-to-day activities as soon as public health data show the virus is retreating within their borders. The public health order, the red-to-green framework and frequently asked questions are all available at cv.nmhealth.org/redtogreen , where New Mexicans can also view the test positivity rate and new case incidence for each county as of Dec. 2. The requirements for each level are available below and at cv.nmhealth.org . GREEN LEVEL: Counties at the Green Level have both a new COVID-19 case incidence rate of no greater than 8 cases per 100,000 inhabitants during the most recent two-week period, and an average percent of positive COVID-19 test results over the most recent 14-day period less than or equal to 5%. 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: 50% of maximum capacity Food and drink establishments: 50% of maximum capacity for indoor dining; 75% of maximum capacity for outdoor dining Close-contact businesses: 50% of maximum capacity Outdoor recreational facilities: 50% of maximum capacity (unless required to have less capacity under the state’s COVID-Safe Practices) Close-contact recreational facilities: Remain closed **All other businesses: 50% of maximum capacity Houses of worship: May hold religious services, indoors or outdoors, or provide services through audiovisual means, but may not exceed 50% of the maximum capacity of any enclosed space on the premises Places of lodging: 75% of maximum occupancy for those that have completed NM Safe Certified training; 40% of maximum occupancy for all others; 10 guests maximum for vacation rentals Mass gatherings limit: 20 persons, 100 vehicles YELLOW LEVEL: Counties at the Yellow Level have either a new COVID-19 case incidence rate of no greater than 8 cases per 100,000 inhabitants during the most recent two-week period, or an average percent of positive COVID-19 test results over the most recent 14-day period less than or equal to 5%. 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: 25% of maximum capacity or 125 customers at one time, whichever is smaller Food and drink establishments: 25% of maximum capacity for indoor dining; 75% of maximum capacity for outdoors dining; any establishment serving alcohol must close by 10 p.m. each night Close-contact businesses: 25% of maximum capacity or 20 customers at one time, whichever is smaller Outdoor recreational facilities: 25% of maximum capacity (unless required to have less capacity under the state’s COVID-Safe Practices) Close-contact recreational facilities: Remain closed **All other businesses: 25% of maximum capacity or 125 customers at one time, whichever is smaller Houses of worship: May hold religious services, indoors or outdoors, or provide services through audiovisual means, but may not exceed 25% of the maximum capacity of any enclosed space on the premises Places of lodging: 60% of maximum occupancy for those that have completed NM Safe Certified training; 25% of maximum occupancy for all others; 5 guests maximum for vacation rentals Mass gatherings limit: 10 persons; 25 vehicles RED LEVEL: Counties at the Red Level are those with a new COVID-19 case incident rate of greater than 8 cases per 100,000 inhabitants during the most recent two-week period and an average percent of positive COVID-19 test results over the most recent 14-day period greater than 5%. Essential businesses (non-retail): No capacity restrictions but must limit operations to only those absolutely necessary to carry out essential functions Essential retail spaces: 25% of maximum capacity or 75 customers at one time, whichever is smaller Food and drink establishments: No indoor dining permitted; 25% of maximum capacity for outdoor dining; any establishment serving alcohol must close by 9 p.m. each night Close-contact businesses: 25% of maximum capacity or 10 customers at one time, whichever is smaller Outdoor recreational facilities: 25% of maximum capacity (unless required to have less capacity under the state’s COVID-Safe Practices) Close-contact recreational facilities: Remain closed **All other businesses: 25% of maximum…