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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is investigating a plan that would ease COVID-19 restrictions for qualifying businesses based on safety practices, and it could have an effect on hundreds of locations in counties under Safer at Home: Red Level Guidelines.
CDPHE’s new plan, unveiled on Friday, is only a draft at this point, but the agency is seeking public input on the program before December 4.
The certification program would allow businesses to open with increased capacity if they meet a list of criteria for COVID-19 security guidelines. It’s based on the Mesa County Variance Protection Program, which has dozens of businesses certified to open with more capacity than what is recommended by Colorado’s COVID-19 Dashboard.
Essentially, this program would allow approved companies to move down one level on the dial; For example: businesses licensed in Level Orange counties could operate at yellow level capacities, businesses in Level Yellow counties could operate at blue level capacities, and Level Blue counties could operate with 35 additional people added to their ceiling.
An explanation of the numbering guidelines can be found here.
One of the things the state is investigating, however, is whether this program can be effective in counties subject to red level guidelines, including El Paso and Pueblo counties and many counties in the Denver metroplex. This decision is expected to be made by Dec. 4 based on public comment and data from the Mesa County program. Mesa County currently has a gap to test the program for 12 days while at the red level.
Some of the guidelines to be eligible for the program include:
- 100% mask wear among staff and customers “with rigorous compliance and enforcement protocols”
- Daily symptom checks for all employees
- Encourage staff and guests to activate “Show Notifications”
- Contact follow-up
Restaurants should require reservations and table spacing should be at least 10 feet for indoor dining.
The draft guidelines state that any company cited for non-compliance with a public health policy or a der is not eligible for certification. We asked the CDPHE if previous outbreaks affect eligibility, and a spokesperson responded by saying that “the draft discussion does not specifically mention outbreaks, but we are seeking comments on the various elements that are or may need to be be included.”
Read the full plan by clicking on this link. You can give your opinion on the plan using this submission form before December 4th.
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