New Mexico governor lifts state's indoor mask mandate
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham declared Thursday that the state’s mask mandate for indoor public spaces has been lifted.
She made the surprise announcement at a news conference that followed the end of the 30-day legislative session.
Until today, New Mexico and Hawaii were the only states that had yet to set a date for lifting their mandates. Washington’s governor was expected to announce a date on when the indoor mandate would lift later Thursday.
As in other states, COVID-19 cases in New Mexico have been declining.
The governor cited reduced COVID-19 risk and removed her mask.
Most of the Democratic governor’s allies and cabinet members also took off their masks following the announcement, including Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. David Scrase.
In August, the governor reinstated New Mexico’s mask mandate. At the time, she cited stagnant vaccination rates and an increase in infections. She also required more people to get vaccinated, including workers at hospitals, nursing homes and other places that the state deemed as high-risk.
It wasn't immediately clear if Lujan Grisham planned any other changes to the state's current public health order, which will expire in March.