Colorado added to states requiring quarantine

SANTA FE — The state took two steps forward, but three steps back Wednesday regarding states from which travelers must self-quarantine upon arrival in New Mexico due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Added to the list of high-risk states were Colorado, Oregon and Rhode Island. Meanwhile, Michigan and Hawaii were moved to the low-risk state designation.

The tipping data points for a high-risk state versus a low-risk state are a 5% test positivity rate for COVID-19 over a 7-day rolling average, or a positive test rate greater than 80 per 1 million residents.

High-risk states now include Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas,, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

The self-quarantine requirement lasts for 14 days or the length of the stay, whichever is shorter. The high-risk and low-risk state lists are updated every Wednesday based upon the most recent available data.

A negative test exemption is in place for any traveler who can show documentation of a valid negative COVID-19 test taken within the 72 hours before or after entry into New Mexico, provided they self-isolate or self-quarantine while awaiting the results of their test.

All international travel is designated as high-risk, with no negative test exemption.

People who arrive from lower-risk states are not required to quarantine, but are advised to do so for five to seven days upon arrival in New Mexico.