Masks still required in southern New Mexico, but that could soon change

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico -- The governor of New Mexico might have dropped the state's mask requirement for vaccinated residents, but there are still many local mask mandates in southern New Mexico.

As of late Monday morning, there were still mask requirements in Mesilla, Las Cruces and Doña Ana County.

The manager of Doña Ana County told ABC-7 that county commissioners must vote on either amending the current mask rule for vaccinated residents or repealing the county mask ordinance.

"You want to have consistency," County Manager Fernando Macias said. "The problem is, when we passed a mask ordinance, it takes a process to modify or eliminate it."

The mayor of Mesilla said she would spend the beginning of the week in meetings with the town's law enforcement to determine if masks will still be required in the plaza.

“I think all of us will agree that we will follow the governor’s guidance," said Mayor Nora Barraza. However, she said the town of Mesilla would still encourage face masks. "We don’t want to move one step forward and take ten steps back.”

The mayor of Las Cruces told ABC-7 he anticipated a discussion on the governor's order during the city council meeting Monday, but to "look for something probably this Friday."