SANTA FE - The New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) encourages New Mexicans to have a safe and COVID-friendly Thanksgiving holiday. 

According to the CDC, the following safety precautions are recommended:

  • Protect those not yet eligible for vaccination such as young children by getting yourself and other eligible people around you vaccinated.
  • Wear well-fitting masks over your nose and mouth if you are in a public indoor setting or around others. The updated mask mandate can be found here. 
  • Avoid crowded, poorly ventilated spaces, including parties.
  • If you are gathering with a group of people from multiple households and potentially from different parts of the country, you could consider additional precautions (e.g., avoiding crowded indoor spaces before travel, taking a test) in advance of gathering to further reduce risk.
  • If you are sick or have symptoms, don’t host or attend a gathering 
  • Get tested if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have a close contact with someone who has COVID-19.
  • For New Mexicans who are able to do so, the Department encourages the use of Vault at-home tests for surveillance testing: https://learn.vaulthealth.com/nm/. New Mexicans can order tests to be delivered to their home at no cost. To be able to use the Vault tests, a person needs access to the internet, an email address, and a photo ID.
  • New Mexicans can also access COVID testing at Curative sites, which can be located through the NMDOH website: https://findatestnm.org/. The NMDOH urges New Mexicans to avoid going to health clinics, hospitals, or urgent care for surveillance testing – unless you are symptomatic and have been exposed to COVID-19.

As a reminder, all New Mexicans 5 years old and older are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. DOH encourages New Mexicans to schedule vaccinations with their primary care providers or local pharmacies– or via vaccineNM.org. New Mexicans without access to the internet can call 1-855-600-3453 for scheduling assistance.

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