COVID restrictions to be lifted July 1

New Mexico’s COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted July 1 after the governor on Friday apparently deemed the state close enough to its 60% goal of full vaccination against the disease.

The state’s online vaccination dashboard reported 59.4% of eligible residents had been fully vaccinated against coronavirus as of early Friday afternoon.

“As of July 1, all limitations on mass gatherings will be gone. Businesses, large events and organizations may operate at 100% of maximum capacity, whether indoor or outdoor,” Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham stated in a news release Thursday.

Until July 1, all New Mexico counties in the state will remain at the least restrictive turquoise level, where commercial and day-to-day pandemic-related restrictions are minimal.

The time lag between the announcement and the July 1 reopening of the state’s economy allows people who recently have been vaccinated to attain full immunity against the disease. That typically is two weeks.

Lujan Grisham stated state officials anticipated a new batch of federal vaccination data for residents receiving their shots from federal entities, which often lags by several days, by Sunday, as well as New Mexicans’ completed vaccination data from neighboring Texas.

In effect, officials said, so far as there is a “margin of error” in vaccination data, the state is well within the 60% goal.

“Frankly, we need to be better than 60% fully vaccinated,” the governor said. “The variants across the globe and in the U.S. present very serious risks to unvaccinated people, even young people. We all, each of us, have the power to stop the serious illnesses and deaths: Get your shot. It’s safe. It works. It’s that simple. Don’t wait for COVID to infect you or someone you love and wish you’d decided differently.”

“We are learning that just receiving the first of two vaccines in a series is not enough to protect you against some of the highly infectious variants,” Health Secretary Tracie Collins added.“So if you have had only one Pfizer or Moderna vaccination, please, schedule your booster shot today. And help us keep moving forward, and keep your family and your neighbors safe.”

The governor stated New Mexico will continue to follow U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for face coverings. Therefore, masks will remain required for unvaccinated individuals. Businesses, workplaces and tribes may continue to require masks for employees, customers or visitors on the premises, regardless of vaccination status, at their discretion.

State health officials during a briefing Wednesday were coy about whether the governor would stick to the July 1 reopening tentatively announced weeks ago. But they also didn’t hide their optimism about that timeline.

All New Mexicans age 12 and older are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine and can schedule their vaccine appointment at vaccineNM.org or by calling 1-855-600-3453.

Parents of children age 12-15 are encouraged to register their child for the approved Pfizer vaccine at vaccineNM.org.

The state’s Vax 2 the Max Sweepstakes, including five $1 million drawings (for New Mexicans who have received at least one vaccine shot) and a $5 million grand prize (for New Mexicans who have completed their vaccination series), continues. Vaccinated New Mexicans who would like a chance to win must opt into the sweepstakes at vax2themaxNM.org.