SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico officials are updating masking and vaccine guidance for schools this fall. Masks are still required for elementary school students, who are too young to receive any COVID-19 vaccine.
The new rules allow middle and high schools to let vaccinated students ditch masks if they track who’s fully vaccinated. Less than half of the state’s children aged 12-17 have gotten their shots. Schools will still report COVID-19 cases to the state and test a portion of their unvaccinated staff under the new guidance. School vaccine drives are underway.