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Any visitors to the state capitol in Santa Fe must now show a COVID vaccination card before entering the Roundhouse for the upcoming special and regular sessions.
On Tuesday, New Mexico Senate President Pro Tem Mimi Stewart issued the following statement in support of the Legislative Council Service’s announcement regarding safety measures in the Capitol complex.
“With these protections against Covid-19 in place for the upcoming legislative sessions, we are ensuring the best protection for the public who wish to participate in the legislative process and for our staff who do critical work. We are following CDC and OSHA recommendations based on the science and medical community’s advice. We look forward to having safe, productive sessions to get important work done for the State and New Mexicans.”
Speaker of the House Brian Egolf referenced partisan politics and the Jan. 6 insurrection as additional reasons for the move. He made sure to mention that the session would be virtual for those who wished to remain unvaxxed. “Virtual participation in the legislative process will continue while the policies announced today allow for the safe reopening of our state’s Capitol to all New Mexicans so they have the access they deserve to their elected leaders and the legislative process. The past two years have brought much change due to the pandemic and security concerns related to dangerous partisan rhetoric and the January 6 insurrectionists, but none of this will stop us from doing the people’s work.”