SM County: Public Health Order Deescalated to Level Blue – Caution!

24 Mar SM County: Public Health Order Deescalated to Level Blue – Caution!

San Miguel County will move to Level Blue effective immediately, as the Colorado Department of Public Health implemented the latest update to the COVID-19 dial framework: Dial 3.0.

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According to a press release from the CDPHE, state officials expect that Dial 3.0 will remain in effect until mid-April, at which point the state plans to retire the dial and implement a new public health order that gives greater control over capacity restrictions to local public health agencies.

For the time being, San Miguel County Public Health will continue to implement preventative measures more restrictive than the state public health order and Dial 3.0 framework.

Level Blue capacity restrictions, qualified with six feet of distance between parties, are as follows within San Miguel County:

• Lodging: No more than 85% occupancy per month per Lodging Appendix A. No more than 10 people from no more than two households per unit.

• Personal Gatherings: Limited to no more than 10 people from no more than two households.

• Restaurants: If six feet of distance is maintained between parties, restaurants allowed up to 100% capacity. Last call moved to 2 am.

• Bars: Bars can only operate if food continues to be offered from a retail food licensee. Refer to restaurant restrictions for capacity levels.

• Offices: 75% capacity while remote work remains encouraged where possible.

• Gyms/Fitness Centers: 100% capacity with six feet of distance maintained between parties.

• Group Sports: 50-person capacity per activity.

• Retail: 75% capacity.

• Personal Services: 50% capacity or 50 people, whichever is fewer.

• Public Indoor Events: 50% or 175 if unseated with six feet of distance between parties. 50% or 225 is seated with six feet of distance between parties.

• Outdoors: No state regulations, but local public health entities may establish local restrictions.

The state will continue to defer to local public health regarding more strict regulations surrounding COVID preventative measures.

“While caseload data supports this move to Level Blue, cautious behavior should continue throughout the coming weeks, especially with the potential for travel outside of the county and the existing presence of the B.1.1.7 variant,” said Public Health Director Grace Franklin. “It is up to the community to maintain the current trajectory and take necessary precautions to protect one another as the pandemic comes to a close.”

The updated dial does not change Colorado’s current statewide mask mandate which expires April 3 at which time, the Governor may choose to make modifications. The towns of Telluride and Mountain Village and San Miguel County also maintain public mask mandates of their own, which are expected to be renewed through the end of the summer.

“COVID-19 still presents risks to healthy Coloradans, so everyone should continue to take precautions until the vaccine becomes widely available and used,” stated the CDPHE in a press release.

Five Commitments of Containment:

Wear a mask
Maintain six feet of physical distance
Minimize group size
Wash hands frequently
Stay home when sick and get tested