Pueblo moves to Level Red on the COVID-19 dial

PUEBLO — COVID-19 isn't backing off across Pueblo County. This week, Pueblo was notified that they'll be moving into Level Red on theCOVID-19 dial beginning Sunday evening at 5:00 pm. The announcement raised some concerns about what people in Pueblo can expect life to look like after the weekend is over.

Most of the more notablechanges in restrictions include:

1. All INDOOR dining will be closed, so only takeout options and patio dining will be available. Restaurants will have an 8:00 PM last call on the premise.
2. All indoor events are canceled.
3. All indoor AND outdoor exercise will be reduced to 10% capacity, or a max of ten people at one time.
4. Grades P-5 are still RECOMMENDED for in-person learning. All older grades are suggested to learn from home, or in a hybrid fashion.

The current curfew in Pueblo County will not be adjusted.

The Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment held a meeting today addressing why Level Red is necessary for the city. Randy Evetts, the Public Health Directors, said the county expects the number of cases to double in the next thirteen days. The city's biggest concern at the moment is ensuring that hospitals remain at a manageable level.

“I Don’t want to be in a position where we have to make life or death decisions for people. That’s not where we want to go,” said Dr. Sandeep Vijan from Parkview Medical Center.

It seems that most of the people in Pueblo want to do what they can to ensure that an official "Stay at Home Order" doesn't have to happen.

“I think we owe it to each one of ourselves and others around us by wearing a mask and staying clear," said Mark Holmes, a Pueblo resident.

Mayor Gradisar said he hopes that the people of Pueblo will make safe decisions in the upcoming weeks, so that the county may see a decrease in new COVID-19 cases.

Level Red is the second most restrictive level on the state's COVID-19 dial, just behing Level Purple.

The New York Times recently reported Pueblo as #2 for Most-Increase-in-Cases nationwide. As of today, the county has reached 5,736 confirmed cases.