N.M. Sup. Ct. Order No. 23-8500-010

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO 1

March 31, 2023 2

NO. 23-8500-010 3

IN THE MATTER OF RESCINDING 4

ORDER NO. 22-8500-037 AND THE NEW 5

MEXICO JUDICIARY’S EMERGENCY 6

COURT PROTOCOLS NOS. 1, 2, AND 3 7

ORDER 9

WHEREAS, March 11, 2023, marked three years since the first confirmed 10

COVID-19 case in New Mexico, initiating the Public Health Emergency still in 11

effect in New Mexico until today, March 31, 2023, when the executive order 12

declaring the emergency will expire; 13

WHEREAS, the New Mexico Supreme Court created the Emergency 14

Response Team (ERT) to develop pandemic protocols and policies, effectively 15

communicate these protocols and policies throughout the Judiciary, and respond to 16

inquiries consistently to ensure the safety of employees and court visitors; 17

WHEREAS, the primary goal of the ERT has been to keep courthouses open 18

while promoting public health and safety; 19

WHEREAS, COVID-19 related hospitalizations and deaths have dec lined, 20

and based on the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s research, 21

information, education, and training regarding occupational health, the ERT 22

recommends that the Court rescind Order No. 22-8500-037 and the New Mexico 1

Judiciary’s Emergency Court Protocols Nos. 1, 2, and 3; and 2

WHEREAS, in light of the foregoing, and the Court being sufficiently 3

advised, Chief Justice C. Shannon Bacon, Justice Michael E. Vigil, Justice David K. 4

Thomson, Justice Julie J. Vargas, and Justice Briana H. Zamora, concurring; 5

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that Order No. 22-8500-037 and the 6

New Mexico Judiciary’s Emergency Court Protocols Nos. 1, 2, and 3 are rescinded 7

in their entirety, effective today, March 31, 2023. 8

IT IS SO ORDERED. 9

WITNESS, the Honorable C. Shannon Bacon, Chief

Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New

Mexico, and the seal of said Court this 31st day of

March 2023.