DENVER — Colorado Gov. Jared Polis extended the statewide stay-at-home order Monday night to April 26, two weeks beyond the initial end date of April 11.
The Governor said if there is any way to end the order sooner, he will. He also said that if Coloradans don't follow the order and social distancing guidelines, the order could be extended.
Polis said this date was chosen based on data that shows staying at home is the best way to avoid a catastrophic loss of life.
"If the choice is between a temporary shutdown and a catastrophic loss of life, the choice is clear. These closures and restrictions will be temporary. But when you lose a life, you lose it forever,” he said.
He also said that the spread of coronavirus in Colorado is beginning to slow, but that now “is not the time to abandon what has been working - quite the opposite.” He added, "The better job we do of staying in, the sooner we will be able to go back out. I know this isn’t easy, but if we all do our part, we can beat this virus and get back to living our lives,”
You can read the full Executive Order here.
Following the Governor's address, News5 had reaction from both Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers and Pueblo Mayor Nick Gradisar.
Earlier this month, Polis issued a statewide stay-at-home order that was in effect through April 11. He later updated the order, allowing houses of worship to remain open as long as they practice extreme social distancing, or use electronic platforms.
The Governor said people need to remember this is not a vacation and you need to stay home unless absolutely necessary to try and slow the spread of the coronavirus.
The order means Coloradans should not be leaving their homes except for critical activities including:
- Obtaining food and other household necessities including medicine
- Going to and from work if you are a critical employee
- Seeking medical care
- Caring for dependents or pets
- Caring for a vulnerable person in another location
- Cannabis and liquor stores will remain open
- Or participating in outdoor recreation at a legally-mandated safe distance of six feet or more from other parties
To read the full order, click here.
Last week, the Governor also announced that in-person learning at public and private K-12 schools in Colorado will remain suspended until April 30, but added that students will likely not return to their classrooms for the remainder of the school year.
"All school districts… should prepare for traditional in classroom instruction to not return this school year," Polis said. "I like to be an optimist, so it is possible, very unlikely."
Also this past week, the Governor urged all Coloradans to begin wearing non-medical cloth face-masks whenever they leave their home for essential activities, such as grocery shopping. The recommendation came shortly before President Donald Trump announced that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending that all Americans cover their faces when in public.
