State lifting quarantine requirement on out-of-state travel

SANTA FE — Effective Thursday, New Mexico will no longer require quarantines from out-of-state travel.

The state had required anybody traveling into New Mexico from a “high-risk” state to quarantine for 14 days, and will now strongly advise people to do so and seek out a COVID-19 test upon their arrival in or return to the Land of Enchantment.

The state defined “high risk” states as those with 80 or more new daily cases per million residents and/or test positivity above 5%. As of Feb. 9, Hawaii was the only state that avoided that gating criteria.

The quarantine requirement had numerous exemptions, including trips made for medical purposes, child care responsibilities or performance of essential work.

“New Mexicans have sacrificed to make this recent progress, and I encourage all New Mexicans and visitors to our state to maintain vigilance in the coming weeks,” Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said in a release. “Please consider continuing to limit travel to only what is necessary for your work and family. This is the best way to ensure our progress is sustained, and we can continue to save lives and protect New Mexicans’ health and livelihoods.”