NMDOH no longer requires weekly testing for healthcare workers whose vaccine status is not up to date

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The New Mexico Department of Health amended the state’s emergency public health order.

“It’s clear by the CDC’s recommendation yesterday which moves away from restrictive measures that we’re in a different place in this pandemic than we were two years ago,” said acting Department of Health Secretary David Scrase. “Over the past eight months we have excelled in implementing the tools to minimize the spread of COVID-19 such as: vaccines, boosters, home testing and oral treatments that have helped reduce hospitalizations and deaths.” 

Effective Friday, Aug. 12, the following changes will be implemented:

• All facilities licensed or certified by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), including all hospital types, long-term care facilities, hospice facilities, and rehabilitation facilities are instructed to adhere to all COVID-related requirements prescribed by CMS, including, but not limited to, masking and patient/staff vaccination.
  • Facilities reporting staff vaccination status in the federal CMS reporting system are not required to concurrently report such data to the state reporting system.  
  • NMDOH no longer requires weekly testing for healthcare workers whose vaccine status is not up to date. 
• Employees and volunteers working in state correctional facilities are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 unless they qualify for an exemption.