This week’s meeting updated the community on what Phase 2 of reopening looks like and what the approved variance from the State public order means for Pitkin County.
Jon Peacock – Pitkin County Commissioner
- Thank you to the community for doing such a good job in slowing the spread of Covid-19. It hasn’t been easy but we have done great. We know that we need to pivot policies in order to learn to live with and continue to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. We have developed the Roadmap to Recovery so we know how to re-enter into a safe environment for activities and jobs and also understand what data we are going to look at to ensure that we are pivoting and reopening in a safe way.
- Last week, CDPHE granted Pitkin County a variance from the State of Colorado order to follow the Pitkin County Roadmap to Reopening, based on local data. This variance includes re-opening on May 27th:
- Lodging at 50% daily capacity with a COVID-19 Safety Plan and sector-specific guidance
- Restaurants at 50% of facilities capacity (outdoor seating unlimited, but with physical distancing) with a COVID-19 Safety Plan and sector-specific guidance
- Groups & Events: all groups capped at 10 people, unless it is an event that has a permit and is approved by the County or a municipality, in which case it can be up to 50 people. Pitkin County does not expect to allow these 50 person events until late June.
- If Pitkin County exceeds 18 new cases in 1 week, CDPHE will rescind Pitkin County’s variance.
- As we reintroduce activities, we really need our community and visitors to stay vigilant to slow the spread of COVID-19 and uphold 5 Commitments of Containment:
- Maintain 6 feet of distance from anyone not in your household
- Wash hands often
- Cover your face in public spaces and while outside if 6 feet of social distancing is not possible
- Stay home if sick
- Seek testing ASAP if you have symptoms
- Reopening and implementing the Roadmap will be incremental. We’ll be looking at 5 Criteria to let us know if we are ready to continue reopening different sectors.
- 5 Criteria that must be met to move to the next phase of reopening:
- Sustained decrease in new cases for at least 14 days
- Hospitals are safely able to treat patients without resorting to crisis standards of care
- Testing is performed for all people with covid-like symptoms
- Active and timely monitoring can be accomplished for all cases and their contacts
- Clear protocols are in place that require social distancing and assistance in case identification.
Phase 2 of Reopening- Kara Silbernagel – Pitkin County Policy and Project Manager
- We are basing which sectors open and when they will open on the level of risk, both in terms of number of contacts and contact intensity.
- Now that we are in Phase 2 of re-opening, we’re seeing more sectors opening with moderate risk.
- This is balancing the need to open our economy with slowing the spread and maintaining hospital capacity.
- Phase 2 of Reopening will have multiple steps:
- May 27th (Phase 2.1): Restaurants and Lodging, Group gathering size limited to 10 people. All of this guidance is now available on the Pitkin County website [https://covid19.pitkincounty.com/business-resources/#sector-guidelines]
- June 1st (Phase 2.2): Summer Day Camps, Outdoor Recreation( playgrounds, skate parks), non-essential services (outfitters and guides). All of this guidance is now available on the Pitkin County website [https://covid19.pitkincounty.com/business-resources/#sector-guidelines]
- June 8th (Phase 2.3): Gyms/Fitness Centers, Recreation Centers, Ice Rinks, Places of Worship. Sector-specific guidance forthcoming.
- June 15th (Phase 2.4): Public Transportation, Theaters. Sector-specific guidance forthcoming.
- June 22nd (Phase 2.5): Events of up to 50 people (local jurisdiction requirements must be met as well). Sector-specific guidance forthcoming.
- TBD Phase 3: Based on 5 Criteria for moving to the next phase of reopening.
Tracy Trulove:
- Mask Requirement: Aspen City Council extended to June 17th (https://www.cityofaspen.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=290), Basalt to June 23rd (https://www.aspendailynews.com/…/article_cd3c6dc6-9fe5-11ea…). Face coverings required to cover nose and mouth in all buildings, public and private, that are open to the public. Face coverings are required to be worn outside whenever there is a risk of being within 6 feet of another person for more than 10 minutes. Face coverings should be worn in restaurants as you get to your table and if you get up to walk around or use the facilities.
- Testing: open to community members and all visitors now arriving to Pitkin County. If you have symptoms, call your doctor or call 970-279-4111 to make an appointment to be tested at Aspen Valley Hospital. Testing must be scheduled by a physician.
- Roadmap to Reopening: www.pitkincounty.com/covid19
- Task Forces/ Sector-specific business and activity groups: are involved in creating all sector-specific guidelines. If you’d like to get plugged in to one of these groups, sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdOPxM-5sTKJPkm0_FN-r31NygqhsJpNK5uEB9Gqjp3mPuNyg/viewform or with questions, contact [email protected].
New Website
- Visit Pitkin County Covid-19 Response and Recovery website: www.pitkincounty.com/covid19 or www.covid19.pitkincounty.com (both URLs work)
- Timeline: on the homepage of all the phases of reopening and which sectors are reopening when, as well as links straight to their sector-specific guidance.
- Business Resources: Guidelines by sector (including summer camps, outfitters, guides, lodging, restaurants), links to Business Town Halls, How to Submit a COVID-19 Business Safety Plan. [https://covid19.pitkincounty.com/business-resources/]
- Communications Resources: Covid-19 communication assets all available in digital form for your use in communicating about Covid-19 public orders, mask requirements, the 5 Commitments of Containment, and Mental Health Tips. [https://covid19.pitkincounty.com/communications-resources/]
- Covid-19 Stats: local Pitkin County data monitoring, which is updated daily. [https://covid19.pitkincounty.com/covid-19-stats/]
We are going to adjust the cadence of these Community Meetings, please be sure to check the website and Pitkin County Health Facebook page for up-to-date information including future meetings.
Things to remember! As we reintroduce activities we need to really double down on those 5 commitments to contain the virus. We will be able to learn how to successfully live with this until we have a successful medical intervention to get rid of this.
Be well, stay healthy, and see you again soon!
