COLORADO — With a new executive order in place, the safer-at-home order issued by Gov. Jared Polis is now in effect for some parts of Colorado.
The "Safer at Home" guideline continues to encourage social distancing and telecommuting. Polis said, when the stay-at-home order expires after April 26, many of the same rules will still apply – just as guidance.
He said it would be Coloradans’ personal responsibility to keep limiting their physical interactions in the months ahead to keep the state from being overwhelmed. Polis said the Colorado model is the "most relevant" and the "one we look at closest" of all the models.
"We can't lose sight of the fact that our job isn't finished," Polis said. "Your job isn't finished. This hinges on individual responsibility."
This new phase is considered "Level 2" of a physical distancing model that the governor presented. It includes:
- Most people will still stay at home "as much as possible" and avoid unnecessary social interactions
- Vulnerable populations will still have strong protections
- Increasing healthcare capacity
- Increasing testing/monitoring capacity
According to the governor's office, the safer-at-home executive order outlines a new level in Colorado's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It includes more sustainable ways of living while slowing the spread of the virus and allowing more people to return to work. The order is tentatively set to expire 30 days from April 27 but can be amended or extended at any time.
Beginning Monday, there will be changes from what was implemented during the stay-at-home order. News5 is breaking down what you should expect during the safer-at-home phase.
General Public Measures
Coloradans are encouraged to stay at home unless absolutely necessary, face coverings strongly advised when out in public, no gatherings of 10 or more people, sick people are not to go into work and people are asked to avoid unnecessary travel.
Vulnerable populations and seniors
Stay at home except "when absolutely necessary."
Critical Businesses
These types of businesses will remain open with "strict precautions." These businesses have been open during the stay-at-home order. For more on what critical businesses entail, click here.
Nursing homes and congregate care facilities
Strict precautions and protections.
Retail
Open for curbside delivery and phased-in public opening with strict precautions.
Offices
Open 50% with strict precautions. Large workplaces are advised to do temperature and symptom checks with telecommuting being used.
Elective medical/dentist services
Open with strict precautions to make sure there is proper protective equipoment and ability to meet critical care needs.
Restaurants and bars
Closed with takeout/delivery only and exploring phased-in, reduced capacity opening.
Childcare
Open with strict precautions
Education
Grades K-12 and higher education will be closed for the 2019-2020 school year.
Personal services
Salons, tattoo shops, dog grooming, personal training and other services like these can be open with strict precautions.
Real Estate
Showings can begin, but open houses will not be permitted.
For more information on the executive order and specific dates these changes will take place, click here.
Though Polis and the health officials all said that testing was currently lacking overall, Polis said more had come online since the start of the outbreak and that testing isn’t the most important thing right now because of the vast number of asymptomatic cases. He said that even with mass testing, perhaps the state could lower its “safer at home” social distancing guideline to a reduction of 55% instead of 65%.
There are more than 10,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the state.
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Click here for the latest update on the number of cases, the age, gender and location of presumptive positive, indeterminate and confirmed cases from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
People who have general questions about coronavirus disease 2019 can call CO HELP at 303-389-1687 or 1-877-462-2911 for answers in many languages. Email COHELP@RMPDC.org for answers in English.
