The New Mexico Department of Health has updated the state’s red-to-green framework map that tracks COVID cases by county, easing up on restrictions in most counties and sending them back to the least restrictive Turquoise level. The change occurred on Friday, April 30th, signaling a promising summer for tourism, restaurants, and retail in Ruidoso.
The updated COVID-19 framework was implemented to assess the risk level of each county while accounting for the number of vaccinations given. As in previous weeks, updates will be shared by the health department bi-weekly. Counties that meet the criteria for the green level will now be able to move to turquoise if they stay green for two weeks. Additionally, counties included in the turquoise level will only be submitted for four-week updates, reducing the need for quickly shifting restrictions which have been a source of complaint for business operators across the state.
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced that the color-coded system will be retired once 60 percent of New Mexicans are vaccinated, which, at the current vaccination rate, will occur by approximately June 30. Once the percentage is reached, she stated, “We are open.”
CURRENT RESTRICTIONS
Currently, Ruidoso is under the least restrictive turquoise level. New Mexico’s “Opening Day” is scheduled for July 1, when the state will retired its color coded county-by-county system and all COVID-related restrictions on retailers, venues, and restaurants. Until then, find out what the latest restrictions are here.
MASKS STILL REQUIRED
New Mexico still requires masks in all public settings, except when eating or drinking, or when outdoors with small, vaccinated groups or immediate household members. This follows the CDC’s latest guidance about mask wearing that was recently released, stating that “fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask outdoors, except in certain crowded settings and venues.”
VISITOR RECOMMENDATIONS
Due to the ever-changing regulations, we recommend checking in with businesses before you visit them to confirm hours and services. Stay up to date with the latest news on the New Mexico Department of Health’s website, the Village of Ruidoso’s COVID-19 Crisis Response Center, and right here on Visit Ruidoso.
