After 15 months of COVID-19 restrictions, New Mexico is leaving behind the Red-to-Green reopening framework. Though all 33 of the state’s counties have been operating at the least-restrictive Turquoise Level for weeks, the change marks the first time since March 2020 that businesses can truly operate normally if they choose.
The reopening follows Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s promise of a “graduation” from restrictions if the state reached a goal of 60% of eligible New Mexicans being fully vaccinated. The state crossed the threshold on June 17, just in time for those receiving their second dose that day to build maximum immunity in the two weeks before July 1.
This marks a critical milestone for our state’s economic recovery: the pandemic’s restrictions and disruptions have been a heavy load to bear for all sectors across our economy, and the removal of those restrictions has been a long time coming.
While they were put in place to protect our communities’ wellbeing during the darkest and most uncertain days of the pandemic, we’re glad to see our economic health taking priority – to allow our businesses to fully reopen and bring New Mexicans back to work. The Chamber is pleased to see this happen, and at a critical time for businesses as the summer truly gets underway and travel starts to pick up again.
We hope you’ll celebrate this turning point with our local businesses this weekend by visiting a store, restaurant, or other business you’ve missed!