On Monday, July 26, 2021, the New Mexico Public Education Department released an updated COVID-19 Response Toolkit with new guidelines for reopening schools.
Key points in the updated guidance include:
- All individuals in elementary schools regardless of vaccination status are required to wear a mask while in a school building, on school transportation, or at an indoor school-sponsored event.
- Secondary school students, staff, and volunteers who are fully vaccinated and provide documentation of full vaccination are not required to wear masks.
- Secondary school students, staff, and volunteers who are unvaccinated (and those who do not provide documentation of full vaccination) are required to wear masks while in a school building,
on school transportation, or at an indoor school-sponsored event.
- Masks are not required outdoors for any individual.
- Unvaccinated spectators are required to wear masks at indoor school events; however, they are not required to provide evidence of vaccination status.
- Schools must identify the process for ensuring compliance with mask requirements, including posting signage in school facilities, announcing mask requirements at events and other necessary means for enforcement.
- Schools must advise individuals who have a condition or are taking medications that weaken their immune system to talk with their healthcare provider about steps that can be taken to manage health risks.
A copy of the full toolkit is available here.
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