The New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) recently released its updated mask policy for the upcoming school year.

The current guidance states that students and faculty members at junior and high schools will not be required to wear face masks as long as they can show evidence that they have been vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus, reported KOAT Action 7 News. In elementary schools, however, all individuals will be required to wear masks regardless of whether they have been vaccinated or not.

Jay C. Block, a New Mexico gubernatorial candidate, took to Twitter to voice his opposition to the new policy.

"This will not happen under my administration. Parents should decide! Parents have no voice today in New Mexico. That changes next year," Block wrote in a July 26 Twitter post.

KVIA News reported that schools will provide masks for students and that students who refuse to wear masks will be sent home. Masks will not be required during school mealtimes and while outdoors.

“Our priority is to keep children in school, and it’s great news that the CDC guidance shows that secondary students and staff who are vaccinated can safely attend school without masks,” then-PED Secretary Ryan Stewart told KVIA News.