SENTINEL EXPRESS C O M M E R C E
VOLUME 34 32
C I T Y
50cI
SSUE 48 24 ISSUE
TUESDAY , JUNE 8,24, 2021 TUESDAY , NOVEMBER 2020
HOLDING ONdining, TO SUMMER New COVID-19 restrictions will prohibit indoor personal gatherings Colorado lifts restrictions for large indoor crowds Governor’s mask order expires, but masks still required by state health department BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
A month and a half after Colorado let its “dial” of coronavirus restrictions expire, the state has also lifted restrictions on large indoor gatherings, a limit that remained after the state dial’s end. The updated statewide public health order that went into effect June 1 also somewhat modified Colorado’s mask requirements. The governor’s mask executive order expired June 1, according to the governor’s office, but its requirements generally live on through the updated public health order. Here’s a look at what changed with the public health order update.
Henley Suazo tries to stay on the mechanical cow June 5 at Brighton’s Summerfest. See more, page 5. PHOTO BY BELEN WARD
health agency for a “variance” — or exemption — to exceed 500 people, which needed to be finally approved by the state public-health department. Now, the updated public health order removes those restrictions.
State limits on mass events lifted Previously, under Colorado’s statewide order, when more than 100 people gathered in a room in Local limits generally lifted a public indoor space, the setting The state’s could 100% capacity or of Brighton’s A longoperate line of at cars outside the city rapidcolor-coded testing siteCOVID-19 at up to 500 people, with 6 feet required dial was the set of restrictions counRiverdale Regional Park. The site has had to close early many days in recent ties had to follow based on the local between parties of unvaccinated weeks or due to high demand.status Adams County’s test positivity rateafspread14-day of the virus. The system people when vaccination capacity at restaurants, other is unknown. Thatas order took17,effect was 15.9 percent, of Nov. accordingfected to Tri-County Health Department. businesses, indoor andhigher outdoor April 16. and Commerce City’s test positivity Brighton rates were both than events, and other settings. Colorado “Public indoor space” meant any 13 percent. Forty-five people in Brighton and 29 in Commerce City have enclosed indoor area that is publicly originally implemented the dial last died from COVID-19 related health To 15. limit the spread of COVID-19, Sept. or privately owned, managed, or issues. Colorado allowed the dial to expire operated is accessible at least 15that counties moved to tothe tighter restrictions that prohibits indoor and as expected in mid-April, but health public, serves as a place of employpersonal gatherings. agencies in the Denver metro area ment, or provides services. extended the dial system locally as The term did not include a pera rise in virus cases and the continson’s residence, including a room ued spreadPhoto of COVID-19 variants in a hotel or a residential room for by Belen Ward kept health officials worried. students at an educational facility. As of May 16, several metro counUnder the previous rules, venues ties are now operating in what they could apply to their local public
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`Snapback restrictions’ still possible A “snapback” to state-imposed coronavirus restrictions could occur if hospitalizations high enough, By Ellis rise Arnold according to a news release from the Colorado Community Media state public-health department. In counties whose resident hospiAs Denverthreaten metro counties continue talizations to exceed 85%to inch closer toorlocal stay-at-home of hospital hospital systemorders capacity, the state public-health departunder Colorado’s system of coronavirusment requirethe implementing relatedmay restrictions, state announced additional restrictions, the public ahealth new level of rules that prohibits indoor order’s text says.
dining and personal gatherings — a
changerequirements that applies totweaked the majority of the Mask During a May 14 news Denver metro area and manyconference, counties in Gov. other Jared regions.Polis announced a relaxing of the statewide mask order, The state’s COVID-19 which has which after that pointdial, required been in effect since September, is thethey set masks unless people can prove of different levels in of restrictions thatas each are vaccinated settings such prisons and jails, health care facili-
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call “level clear,” generally with no local restrictions — and that’s likely to continue unless things take a turn for the worse.
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ties, and schools. The governor announced the changes following updated guidance by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as of May 13 that says fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask or physically distance in any setting, except required law on or the county iswhere required to followbybased regulations, or local business and severity of a county’s local virus spread. workplace guidance. The grew out individuals of the state’s safer-atAtdial that point, 10 years home order — the policy that came old and younger and those who after the statewide stay-at-home orderathis “cannot medically tolerate” face covering exempt fromtypes Colospring andwere allowed numerous of rado’s mask order. businesses to reopen. The state’s updated public health Thetweaks state recently switched to to color order the exceptions identifiers — levels blue, yellow and include individuals 11 years of age orange rather Changing than numbered levels — to or younger. the requirements to start at age 12 was intended avoid confusion. Until Nov. 17, level red to refl ect the state’s vaccine-eligible meant a stay-at-home order. Now, level population, according to the news red — “severe risk” — is the secondrelease. Masks are now required for un-
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