NEW MEXICO — The State of New Mexico this week tightened travel restrictions in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and issued orders mandating that citizens wear face masks in public.

All visitors to the state must quarantine for 14 days, under the new pubic health guideines. Those staying less than two weeks must stay in quarantine for the duration of their stay.

And mask wearing is mandatory in public for all individuals over the age of two, except when eating, drinking or exercising.

Business and law enforcement agencies will be strictly enforcing the new restrictions, including a $100 fine for failing to wear a mask in public.

For New Mexico residents who travel out of state, they must quarantine upon return to the state.

The health order does make exceptions for individuals traveling to New Mexico for essential business.

“Persons who are employed or contracted by an essential business traveling into the state to conduct business activities, persons employed by airlines, those performing public safety or public health functions, military personnel, federal employees, those employed by a federal agency or national defense contractor, emergency first responders, health care workers, those arriving in the state pursuant to a court order” are not subject to quarantine, the order reads.