NM lifts mask mandate for fully vaccinated individuals

May 14—SANTA FE — New Mexico's face mask mandate has been lifted for fully vaccinated individuals. And social distancing guidelines for those inoculated against COVID-19 have been largely scrapped, too.

A day after the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new guidance that fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask in most indoor and outdoor settings, state Health Secretary Tracie Collins on Friday issued a revised public health order adopting the federal guidelines.

The new order, which took effect immediately, keeps the mask mandate in place for non-vaccinated individuals with exceptions for eating, drinking, exercising outside and attending small outdoor gatherings.

In addition, New Mexico public schools will continue to require all teachers, students and visitors to wear face masks except for when eating and drinking, according to a Public Education Department spokeswoman.

"Getting vaccinated is the ticket to a safe and healthy COVID-free future," Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said in a Friday statement. "We are close and getting closer. But that all depends on New Mexicans continuing to protect themselves and their community by getting vaccinated."

Previously, Lujan Grisham had said New Mexico's requirements for face-mask wearing and social distancing would remain in place, even as the state eased business restrictions and allowed for more tourism-related activities.

But the new CDC guidance on face coverings that surprised some health experts — and governors — when it was released Thursday prompted a quick review and change to the state's approach.

Prior to the CDC guidance, about 25 states — including New Mexico — still had statewide face covering requirements though specifics varied by state, according to the AARP.

Under the new public health order that runs through June 11, businesses, churches and other entities can still impose more stringent virus-related requirements, including face-mask mandates.

And even fully vaccinated individuals will likely still have to wear masks in certain public settings — such as airplanes and hospitals.

New Mexico has one of the nation's highest COVID-19 vaccine administration rates. A total of 51% of eligible state residents were fully vaccinated as of Thursday, according to state Department of Health data.

Meanwhile, 62.3% of New Mexicans had received at least one dose of the vaccine.