Department of Health COVID-19 map update: June 2

N.M. elevates all counties to Turquoise SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Wednesday authorized the execution of a new statewide public health order that places each of the state’s 33 counties at the least-restrictive Turquoise Level within the state’s color-coded county-by-county risk framework, reflecting significantly decreased risk of viral transmission statewide. Correspondingly, the New Mexico Department of Health’s updated statewide COVID-19 map places all 33 New Mexico counties at the Turquoise Level as of June 2. The Department of Health on Tuesday reported only 380 new COVID-19 cases covering a four-day cumulative weekend reporting period (from Saturday, May 29, through Tuesday, June 1) – an average of fewer than 100 cases each day. Given the state’s vaccination progress, and a continued positive outlook with respect to new virus cases, counties will remain at the Turquoise Level barring exceptional circumstances — such as an unforeseen mass outbreak — for the duration of the state’s use of the color-coded county-by-county system. The color-coded system will be phased out after 60 percent of the state’s eligible population has completed its vaccination series and two weeks, allowing for the vaccinations to take full effect, have passed. “We’re almost there,” said Gov. Lujan Grisham . “New Mexicans are making the right choices: Getting vaccinated so we can all safely resume our lives and so our small businesses and economy can roar back to life. Please encourage your friends and family to register if they haven’t already – and keep up the hard work as, all together, we push toward ending the worst of the pandemic.” Absent the change enacted Wednesday, under the previous framework for evaluating risk for counties, 28 counties would have been operating at the Turquoise Level, and five – De Baca, Guadalupe, Harding, Roosevelt and Torrance – would have moved back to operating at the Yellow Level. The state will continue to closely monitor vaccination rates in those counties and work with local officials however possible to boost vaccinations. After 60 percent of eligible New Mexicans have been fully vaccinated, the state will graduate out of the color-coded county risk system and remove most pandemic-related restrictions on commercial activities. The state will remove the color-coded risk system two weeks after the 60 percent threshold is reached, allowing for the vaccinations to take full effect. New Mexicans may schedule their COVID-19 vaccination at vaccineNM.org . New Mexicans are eligible to win prizes, including up to $5 million, through the Vax 2 the Max Sweepstakes; vaccinated New Mexicans may opt in to the sweepstakes at vax2themaxnm.org . New Mexicans who are fully vaccinated may as of last month opt to set aside their facemasks in most environments, per updated CDC guidance . Unvaccinated New Mexicans are required to retain their facemasks in public spaces – and should seek out their vaccination immediately . Regardless of vaccination status, New Mexicans must adhere to local and commercial requirements regarding facemasks. And New Mexicans are encouraged to continue adhering to COVID-safe practices. All individuals, including those who are fully vaccinated, should continue to wear well-fitted masks where required by localities, tribal entities and individual businesses. Thirty-two counties were operating at the Turquoise Level as of the last biweekly map update on May 19. TURQUOISE LEVEL: 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 Close-contact businesses: 75% of maximum capacity; no restrictions on outdoor spaces Large entertainment venues: 33% of maximum capacity for any indoor/enclosed space on premises; 75% of any outdoor space on premises Recreational facilities: 50% of maximum capacity of any indoor/enclosed space on the premises; 75% of any outdoor space on premises Bars and clubs: 33% of maximum capacity of any indoor/enclosed space on premises; 75% of any outdoor space on premises, where applicable **All other businesses: 75% of maximum capacity indoors; no restrictions on outdoor spaces Houses of worship: May operate at 100% capacity indoors or outdoors should they so choose Places of lodging: No maximum occupancy restrictions for those that have completed NM Safe Certified training; 50% of maximum occupancy for all others; 15 guests maximum for vacation rentals Mass gatherings limit: 150 persons