A new public health order is effective in Pitkin County starting Sunday, January 17th at 12:01AM. This order moves Pitkin County to Level Red on the CDPHE State Dial and implements level red restrictions.
What changes?
Some key changes for the county under the state’s updated Level Red requirements include:
- Indoor Dining
- Indoor dining at restaurants is prohibited; use takeout, curbside or delivery options instead. Outdoor dining is permitted with those in your household.
- On all-premise alcohol must cease at 8PM. To go orders may continue until 10 PM.
Outdoor dining must end at 10 PM,
- Ski areas
- Improve mask and distancing enforcement
- No indoor dining
- Continue to monitor capacity and implement reservation system if target capacity is exceeded in accordance with the Ski Area Plan
- Lodging
- Enforce one household per unit regardless of when reservation was made
- CLARIFICATION: The only capacity limit for lodging is that reservations are restricted to single household per unit. THERE IS NOT A 50% CAPACITY LIMIT AT THIS TIME.
5-Star Program
In addition, with these changes, the Board of Health prioritized applying for the 5-Star Program with the State immediately. If accepted, 5-Star certified businesses will be able to operate at an increased capacity after a 2-week sustained decline in incidence rate (per the State report card). Pitkin County businesses have been working hard since the beginning of the pandemic, and we’re hopeful the 5-Star Certification Program will offer some much-needed relief and opportunity.
Why the move to Level Red?
Pitkin County has the second highest incidence rate in the state which means 1 in 35 residents are currently infected with COVID-19. This is impacting our ability to reach agreed upon community goals that include in-person learning, indoor economic activity (restaurants/retail), increased transportation capability and winter tourism.
In addition, the Board of Health adopted the following metrics for when Pitkin County will move into and out of the CDPHE Level Red as follows:
Move into red if:
- Incidence rate is above 700 for 14 days;
OR
- One dial metric is in red for 14 days (i.e. hospitalization, two-week average positivity rate) and a second dial metric goes into red for any period of time.
Move out of red if:
- Incidence rate is below 700 and has been decreasing for 14 days.
Business and Individual Support
Pitkin County recognizes the impact red level restrictions will have on much of our workforce and our business community. We continue to compile a list of resources available and encourage anyone in need of assistance to visit the following:
Individual Financial and Layoff Support
Financial Assistance for Businesses
What can YOU do to Help?
The Board of Health decision today impacts our entire community and that means you. We need you to help us get this under control by doing the following:
Follow New Quarantine Guidance – This new information will tell you exactly what to do when exposed, awaiting test results or feeling sick. We need everyone to adhere to this guidance which means staying home at times.
In addition to adhering to quarantine and isolation requirements, there are important steps we all can take to lessen the spread of COVID-19:
- Wear a mask to protect yourself and others, even after you receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
- Keep 6 feet or more apart and avoid gatherings with people who do not live with you.
- Wash your hands often.
- Get tested and stay home if you’re sick. There are many free testing sites around Pitkin County. Use the Pitkin County Testing Site Finder to locate a testing site.
Community Meeting
Pitkin County will host a Community Meeting on Thursday, January 14th at 6 p.m. to discuss these changes and the resources available to businesses and individuals. We invite all members of our community to join us. Full details to join available at https://covid19.pitkincounty.com/upcoming-meetings/
