DENVER — Sunday, Governor Polis issued Executive Orders on Safer-at-Home and Voluntary or Elective Surgeries and Procedures.
According to the Governor's Office, the Safer-at-Home Executive Order outlines a new level in Colorado's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It includes more sustainable ways of living while slowing the spread of the virus and allowing more people to return to work. The order is tentatively set to expire 30 days from April 27 but can be amended or extended at any time.
“Together, Coloradans have been effective in leveling and flattening the curve, but life will remain much more dangerous than usual these next few months and we should all wear masks when in public. Safer at Home is by no means a free-for-all. My administration has acted boldly in the face of this pandemic and is focused on ensuring our state can endure on the trail ahead. We all have a personal responsibility to slow the spread of the virus and must find a way of living that is psychologically and economically sustainable for Coloradans,” Governor Polis said in a release Sunday.
Under the Safer-at-Home Order, Coloradans should continue to stay home as much as possible. The Order directs vulnerable populations, including seniors, to continue staying home and only leaving when absolutely necessary.
According to the Governor's Office, changes during the Safer-at-Home Order will be phased in, with different changes going into effect on April 27, May 1, and May 4.
The changes and dates are as follows:
Monday, April 27
Retail businesses can open for curbside delivery. Real estate home showings can resume.
Voluntary or elective medical, dental, and veterinary surgeries and procedures may resume if facilities are following required safety protocols.
Friday, May 1
Retail businesses can phase-in a public opening if they are implementing best practices.
Personal services can open if they are implementing best practices.
Monday, May 4
Offices can reopen at 50% reduced in-person staffing capacity, if best practices are being implemented to protect the health and safety of employees. Businesses are encouraged to allow employees to continue telecommuting at higher levels if possible. Child care facilities can also expand or reopen if they are following Safer at Home requirements.
The Governor's Office also said the Safer-At-Home Order outlines the options local governments will have when it comes to slowing the spread of the virus and protecting their communities.
Under the Safer-at-Home Order:
- Local governments can implement the guidelines of Safer at Home to match the State.
- Local governments can go further than the State, including but not limited to stay-at-home orders or additional protective measures.
- Local governments can relax guidelines more than the State. To do so, local governments will need to demonstrate proof of 14 consecutive days of decline of infection of COVID-19 in the county. They also must submit an application to CDPHE that includes a written COVID-19 suppression plan approved by the appropriate local public health authority, all hospitals within the jurisdiction, and elected leadership.
You can read the Safer at Home Executive Order here.
The Governor has also signed Executive Order D 2020 045, which will allow medical, dental, and veterinary voluntary or elective surgeries and procedures to resume as long as the health care facility or other setting is following the required safety protocols as set out in the Executive Order.
This Order goes into effect Monday, April 27, 2020.
The Governor's Office said under this Executive Order, facilities performing these procedures must establish a plan to reduce or stop voluntary or elective surgeries and procedures if there is a surge of COVID-19 infections in the county or municipality in which they are located. CDPHE will determine the conditions that constitute a surge. You can read the Executive Order here.
