MCPH provides clarification on local public health order in regards to face coverings, last call, and gatherings.
Protect Our Neighbors is community-specific, and different communities will be at different phases based on local conditions and capabilities. During a press briefing on Tuesday, October 5, while explaining the state health department’s new dial approach and levels within it, Governor Jared Polis stated the conditions counties can allow for under Protect our Neighbors, based on their case counts. These are county-by-county decisions and his comments were in the context of a discussion about regional capacity and readiness of local communities to respond to manageable levels of COVID-19. We are working with the state to provide clarification on comments made by Governor Polis.
Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) has advocated for this type of local control, it’s one of the reasons we were among the first to be given this designation. The current local public health order outlines this phase of reopening in Mesa County. The public health order supports Mesa County’s efforts to continue to open gradually, prioritizing our economy while balancing public health.
Currently in Mesa County:
- All industries (all types of businesses, establishments, and activities) may operate at 50% of normal capacity.
- Indoor occupancy is capped at 500 people.
- Cloth face coverings over the nose and mouth must be worn for interactions where physical distancing is not possible or when entering and moving throughout indoor public places. Face coverings can be removed while seated.
- Last call for alcohol sales in restaurants and in on-premises retail liquor establishments can be no later than midnight.
In Mesa County, we are open significantly more than in other areas of the state, but with increased positive cases we must make adjustments that are gradual. Within the last several weeks we have seen record case counts, including a single-day record of 35 new positive cases last Thursday.
The pandemic isn’t over. With flu season upon us, our actions must also take into consideration the increased demands placed on our health care system by flu. We’re asking the community to work together and avoid the individual behaviors leading to community spread.
We are working with the state and our local businesses to open as quickly and safely as possible. Mesa County is different, we need your help to continue to prove that our local control is working, and our gradual approach is successful.
Residents, visitors, and anyone in Mesa County must follow the local order, which is not interchangeable with the State’s order. All community members are strongly encouraged to visit the Mesa County Public Health website and read the entire public health order and industry-specific guidelines.