Roosevelt makes green designation, Curry remains at yellow

SANTA FE -- Roosevelt County reached green status, while Curry County stayed in yellow status as the state of New Mexico revealed its latest data in its “Red to Green reopening framework on Wednesday.

Since Nov. 30, the state has applied a color-coded designation to each of its 33 counties, based on whether they meet the metrics of 8 daily cases per 100,000 residents or less and 5% test positivity or lower.

Red counties meet neither, yellow counties meet one, green counties meet both and turquoise counties have reached green in consecutive data periods. The state’s public health order assigns different definitions of mass gatherings and capacity restrictions for each level, with turquoise the most relaxed.

Roosevelt, which reached yellow on Feb. 24, enters the green designation with 4.3 daily cases per 100,000 and test positivity of 1.31%. The county can immediately operate under green restrictions which include 50% capacity at essential retail spaces and most businesses, 50% capacity at houses of worship and dining at 50% indoor capacity and 75% outdoor capacity.

The change in designation also means Roosevelt County prep sports can allow spectators inside at 25% indoor capacity and 50% outdoor capacity.

Also, the mass gatherings definition is increased to 20 people or 120 vehicles.

Curry County stayed in the yellow designation, making test positivity at 2.99% but missing the daily case metric at 9.2 per 100,000. Indoor dining is limited to 33%, and outdoor dining 75%.

Yellow restrictions include 33% capacity at houses of worship, essential retail spaces and most businesses. The definition of mass gatherings remains at 10 people or 80 vehicles. In yellow counties, spectators for prep sports are permitted at 25% outdoor capacity with no spectators permitted in indoor settings.

Quay and De Baca counties both made turquoise designation, along with five other counties. Roosevelt is one of seven green counties, while Curry is one of 18 yellow counties. Guadalupe County was the only county in the red designation, with 25.9 daily cases per 100,000 and 5.1% test positivity.

More information: cv.nmhealth.org/public-health-orders-and-executive-orders/red-to-green