"Wear a damn mask," Polis told Coloradans again last week.
Governor Jared Polis extended an executive order that requires people to wear masks while inside buildings to help stop the spread of COVID-19 as cases have begun to rise across the state. The order now is set to expire November 10, unless extended again.
The governor provided a COVID-19 update on Tuesday that included news that the state recorded more than 1,000 new cases in one day for the first time since March over the weekend and hospitalizations are at the highest levels since May. The positivity rate in Colorado is now over 5 percent, a trend that Gov. Polis called "worrisome" and "alarming."
The governor encouraged Coloradans to reduce social interactions, practice good handwashing, and continue to wear masks as required by an executive order he issued in July. The order requires all Coloradans over the age of 10 to wear face masks inside public spaces except those who have disabilities that would preclude them from wearing a mask.
During a press conference last week, the governor said people shouldn't wear a mask for him but for the good of themselves, their families, and the community. "Wear a dam mask," he said, repeating the phrase he first said this summer when he issued the original mask mandate.
JUST IN: Polis plans to extend Colorado’s statewide mask mandate for another 30 days as hospitalizations for the coronavirus continue to increase. https://t.co/I26DCU042t
— The Denver Post (@denverpost) October 9, 2020
Exclusions to the order include diners who are seated at a food service establishment, individuals who are exercising alone and a face-covering would interfere with their activity, those receiving a personal service that requires the face-covering to be removed, those who are asked to remove their mask for identification purposes, those actively engaged in a public-safety role, those officiating at a religious service, and those giving a speech for broadcast or an audience.
Indoor spaces include everything from government buildings to retail facilities, office buildings, grocery stores, libraries, theaters, and museums. The order does not apply to personal residences, hotel or motel rooms, or residential rooms for students.
"Wear a damn mask," Gov. Jared Polis said again today.
— Denver7 News (@DenverChannel) October 9, 2020
With COVID-19 cases rising in Colorado, Polis says he will extend the mask mandate this month. https://t.co/x0mvWuyRdS
The order says the Colorado Department of Health and Environment, in consultation with appropriate local public health administrations, may grant waivers to the order for certain indoor activities that take place for a limited time period if such activities cannot practically or safely be performed while wearing a mask. The waiver will be very limited, according to Governor Polis' office. A form to apply for a waiver will be available by CDPHE in the near future.
