New Mexico unveils ‘red to green’ system that allows counties to reopen

The governor will amend the public health decree on Monday, which will include the new system. However, the new system will not start until Wednesday.

Counties will operate under one of three levels: red, which means very high risk; Yellow, signifying high risk; and Green, signifying medium risk.

The map will be updated every Wednesday.

Click here to see the map

The map will measure several key metrics, including state trigger criteria, the per capita incidence of new COVID-19 cases, and the average COVID-19 test positivity over a statistically significant period of time.

The state says the same metrics are used to rank counties to assess the level of risk of limited reopening of public schools and limited visits to nursing homes.

As of Friday, November 27, 32 of the state’s 33 counties are at the red level.

At this level, almost any category of business or non-profit entity can operate – but with limited capacity and reduced operations.

Regardless of a county level, the following requirements remain in place statewide:

• Masks must be worn in public.
• Companies that register a significant number of positive COVID-19 cases among their staff within two weeks are subject to a temporary shutdown by the Department of Health. •
• A core business may be permitted to continue operating if the Department of Health and Environment determines that the business is a necessary provider of goods or services to the community in light of geographic considerations.
• Companies that test each employee every two weeks and regularly provide contact training data to the environment department will not be subject to closure in this context. This only applies to food and beverage establishments; companies in close contact; accommodation places; retail spaces; and other businesses that members of the public visit regularly. • The close process is triggered if four or more quick responses occur within a 14 day period.
• Businesses and nonprofits should adhere to the state’s COVID security practices.

Click here to read what can reopen when a county is in a red, yellow or green category