Gov. Jared Polis is traveling throughout southern Colorado Tuesday, visiting spots in Colorado Springs and Pueblo.
The governor's office said he will be discussing the state's response to COVID-19 and visit local organizations supported by the COVID-19 Relief Fund.
He visited the Citadel Mall test site in the morning where he was tested for COVID-19. The test site opened last month through the cooperation of the Colorado Department of Health and El Paso County Health.
This morning I stopped by the COVID-19 testing site at the Citadel Mall in Colorado Springs. The testing site is free, quick, and easy!
— Governor Jared Polis (@GovofCO) September 1, 2020
Anyone who wants to be tested can get tested. It’s open Tuesday - Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. pic.twitter.com/etr7RbYQQP
In the afternoon, Polis is visiting the ActivArmor 3D Printing Facility in Pueblo to speak with the staff who creates PPE and distributes the equipment to critical care facilities for the state.
He will also meet with Pueblo chile farmers before giving a press conference on the state's response to COVID-19 at 2:15 p.m. at Pueblo Community College.
Governor Polis gives update from Pueblo on state'es response to COVID-19Gov. Jared Polis is traveling throughout southern Colorado Tuesday. He is giving a press conference on the state's response to COVID-19 at Pueblo Community College. STORY: https://bit.ly/3jEmxzN
Posted by KOAA 5 on Tuesday, September 1, 2020
UPDATES:
Polis was asked about the recent news of Colorado College going to remote learning for the semester after additional students testing positive.
He said this shows the importance of cohorting is schools. If cohorts work, then schools shouldn't have to shut everything down, just quarantine that group.
Polis was then asked about recent calls with the White House and what guidance was offered.
He said the White House experts spoke about a safe return for students. They mentioned forthcoming rapid return testing. Polis said he is expecting greater availability of rapid return testing for colleges and universities in the coming weeks.
The Gov. was then asked to elaborate on what he said about cohorts and if the current approach many schools are using is working.
Polis that obviously with large schools there will be larger cohorts and thus the possibility of larger groups having to be quarantined. He then added that the state is working towards making mobile testing sites available for schools or in communities near schools.
Polis was then asked if he has any plans to extend the statewide mask mandate.
He responded by saying the mask mandate has been a big factor in allowing schools to return to in-person learning. He added that through mask-wearing and social distancing, Colorado has been more successful than many states at slowing the spread of the virus. He did not give a definitive answer as to whether or not he would extend the mask mandate.
