Here's a simple timeline of what to expect with Colorado's safer-at-home phase.
Overall, the changes across Colorado will be gradual with its second phase, "safer-at-home" amid COVID-19. This phase will be very similar to the initial stay-at-home order, but it will allow for certain businesses to open up under strict guidelines. Additionally, it will allow the public to move more freely while still adhering to social-distancing guidelines.
Goals of the New Safer-at-Home Phase
- Under the statewide lockdown, the public was meant to practice social-distancing at levels of 78-85 percent. The safer-at-home phase will decrease that percentage to 60-65, still encouraging the general public to stay at home a majority of the time.
- Testing will be increased and aggressive case detection will be implemented through contact tracing.
- Building more healthcare capacity. Two alternative care facilities are almost complete—the Colorado Convention Center (Denver) and The Ranch (Loveland). The facilities will open by May 15.
A Timeline of Changes
There are two levels to the new safer-at-home phase, which can be "extended, amended, or changed" by state and local health orders at any time.
Level 1: Stay-at-Home
"Everyone is required to stay at home except for grocery shopping, exercise and necessary activities. Only critical businesses are open."
Sunday, April 26:
Colorado's statewide stay-at-home order ends and the new safer-at-home phase commences. The phase will include pre-existing social-distancing practices. Coloradans are still encouraged to stay at home as much as possible. The older population and at-risk groups won't experience much change during this phase, as they are required to stay quarantined as the previous stay-at-home order dictated. Everyone is strongly encouraged to wear face masks when going outside.
Monday, April 27:
Non-critical businesses are allowed to open but are only allowed to have 50 percent maximum of its workforce in its buildings. Workers are still encouraged to work from home as much as possible. Essential businesses will continue to stay open and employees should always be wearing facemasks. Retail businesses are allowed to open under several conditions:
- Retailers can open if they provide curbside service.
- Certain personal-service providers, like hair salons, are allowed to reopen with precautions, like wearing face masks.
- One-on-one real estate showings, although not open houses, and child care can also resume.
- Elective medical procedures will resume with required personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Dog grooming and personal training will be able to resume with limitations, such as contactless drop-off and payment.
Level 2: Safer-at-Home
"Everyone is still encouraged to stay at home. Critical businesses are open and non-critical business are operating with restrictions."
Friday, May 1:
Retail businesses, including hair salons and nail salons, can fully open again as long as they follow social-distance policies.
Monday, May 4:
Businesses can reopen, but telecommuting should be used as much as possible, particularly with high-risk and older employees.
Mid-May:
Bars and restaurants may be allowed to reopen. Schools will remain closed for the rest of the school year, but remote learning can continue.
We've put together a handy restaurant guide for Colorado-based restaurants that have been organized by city. Each restaurant listing gives you links to its current available options, whether it be ordering food for delivery or purchasing a gift card. Even with Colorado slowly coming out of the COVID-19 crisis, it's important that residents support local businesses, such as restaurants, to stimulate the state's economy. The Denver Metro Area is rife with a variety of excellent restaurants of all types of cuisine and the COVID-19 shutdowns have put thousands out of work. Whether you support Colorado restaurants once a week or seven days a week, every little bit helps.
What Remains Closed
At present, there is no specific date to open restaurants, bars, and gyms.
Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
