Garfield County resolution on COVID guidance

PRESS RELEASE
April 19, 2021

During the April 19 Board of County Commissioners meeting, the board passed a resolution providing guidance following the expiration of the statewide COVID-19 dial executive orders. Counties are now able to implement regulations at the local level, though there are still some limited requirements being maintained across the state.

Garfield County resolution

The resolution encourages all citizens to continue to follow all five containment strategies to slow the spread of COVID-19:

  • Washing hands
  • Wearing masks while indoors and continuing to remain at least 6 feet away from non-household contacts
  • Avoiding large crowds
  • Staying home when sick and getting tested as soon as possible
  • Isolating/quarantining if testing positive

    Public Health will continue to maintain COVID-19 data metrics, contact tracing, outbreak investigations, vaccinations, and regulatory authority for restaurant and food service entities.

All Garfield County businesses are encouraged to reopen to the extent each is comfortable and to make their own decisions about whether and to what extent to limit capacity or impose other safety measures, subject to remaining in compliance with any applicable municipal requirements and the continued state requirements.

State Public Health Order 20-38

The State COVID-19 Dial has evolved into Public Health Order 20-38: Limited COVID-19 Restrictions, that addresses large gatherings and other indoor high risk settings.
Summary of new state public health order

Masks: are still required indoors in public places. Outdoor masks are no longer required. The state public health order requires compliance with the current executive mask order. For help, see the CDPHE mask guidance. Masks are required in the following scenarios:

  • For counties with a one week disease incidence rate in excess of 35 per 100,000
  • Public indoor spaces where 10 or more unvaccinated individuals are present
  • Employers must implement the face covering requirements
  • Preschool through grade 12 schools (including extracurricular activities)
  • Child care centers and services and indoor children’s camps
  • Public areas of state government facilities
  • Congregate care facilities
  • Prisons/Jails
  • Emergency medical and other healthcare settings
  • Personal services
  • Limited healthcare settings

Social distancing: Individuals are encouraged to remain at least 6 feet away from non-household contacts, wash their hands, and wear a face covering to reduce the likelihood of disease transmission.

Sector specific guidance (restaurants, places of worship, retail): All sectors must follow mask guidance and CDPHE strongly suggests following the sector guidance for disease mitigation.

Schools: Schools are required to follow the CDPHE schools and child care outbreak guidance.

Nursing homes: PHO 20-20 orders are still in effect, providing requirements For Colorado Skilled Nursing Facilities, Assisted Living Residences, Intermediate Care Facilities, And Group Homes For COVID-19 Prevention And Response.

Mass indoor gatherings of 100-500 people, may operate at 100% capacity; must use masks and maintain 6’ social distancing between parties of unvaccinated people. For events over 500 people, please contact Public Health at 970-625-5200 x 8120 or email Public Health.

Outdoor events do not need to consult with LPHA’s with the following exception:

Outdoor ticketed, seated event venues in excess of 30,000 square feet require consultation between the local public health agency and CDPHE concerning capacity and disease mitigation practices.

CDPHE has the ability to enact additional restrictions for any county experiencing hospitalizations that threaten to exceed 85% of hospital or hospital system capacity.

The State Order became effective Friday, April 16, 2021 and will expire in 30 days unless extended, rescinded, superseded, or amended in writing.