29 May San Miguel County: New Public Health Order
San Miguel Public Health Department issues new Public Health Order, which more closely mirrors the state’s Executive Order. All info will be posted on the San Miguel County website on Sunday, May 31. For up-to-date coronavirus information visit here.
San Miguel County Public Health, with the support of the Board of Health, issued a new Public Health Order that will go into effect at midnight on June 1, and will be more aligned with the State’s new Executive Order that was announced earlier in the week by Governor Polis.
After closely monitoring metrics and disease spread trends, it was determined that the County is ready to move forward with this next phase, keeping the health of the community the priority while reigniting the economy.
“Our community has done a remarkable job physical distancing, wearing masks in public and practicing good hygiene,” said Public Health Director Grace Franklin. “These best practices have helped maintain low COVID-19 case trends which is moving us through our phases to relax restrictions and stimulate the economy.”
Effective June 1, the new order will open up several sectors of the economy, with strict precautions:
• Open childcare facilities
• Allow day camps for kids
• Allow for dine-in at restaurants with capacity limitations
• Open private campgrounds
• Remove the 14-day quarantine for people coming to or returning to the area
• Allow lodging at 25% capacity, dependent on State orders
Restaurants may open to dining indoors and outdoors at 50% of the posted occupancy code limit, not to exceed 50 people, whichever is less. Tables or groups must be limited to no more than eight people and be spaced so that patrons are a minimum of six feet apart. Based on the State’s Executive Order, bars are not allowed to open at this time, with a reevaluation scheduled in June.
Hotels and professionally managed short term rentals will open in a phased approach, at 25% capacity starting on June 1, potentially increasing to 50% on June 22. The opening of self-managed short term rentals will be contingent on the State’s update to their recent order, expected June 1. All short-term lodging properties (including hotels, professionally managed and self-managed) are required to complete an online registration form and will need approval before opening inventory to guests. The form will be available on the San Miguel County website on Sunday, May 31, and instant approval will be given to properties that meet the necessary criteria. All properties will be required to follow best practices to ensure the safety of staff and guests, including educating guests about safety guidelines prior to arrival and during their stay. Citizens with questions or concerns about short-term rental compliance should direct inquiries to: lodgingcommittee@sanmiguelcountyco.gov.
“Opening up lodging in a carefully phased approach will give us the opportunity to educate our visitors about our community’s safety guidelines, which will result in increased awareness and higher compliance,” said San Miguel County Commissioner Lance Waring. “We appreciate the time and effort that the lodging sector put into creating robust protocols that will keep guests, staff and the community safe.”
In conjunction with the State’s Order, childcare and summer day camps can resume operations on June 1, with restrictions and precautionary measures in place. Parents are encouraged to contact their childcare facilities or camps for more information on their specific implementation. Private campgrounds will also be authorized to open on June 1, with state and federal campgrounds already open.
Public Health will continue to reassess the impact of the new order, and make modifications if needed.
“If we want to stay on this upward trajectory of reopening the economy, it’s crucial that we continue to do our part to keep our community and visitors healthy. Continue wearing masks in public places, maintaining physical distancing, and practice good hygiene.” said Franklin.
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