DENVER — Governor Jared Polis announced Friday afternoon the state government is asking "all Colorodoans to wear face coverings when they go out of the house for essential functions like grocery shopping."
Gov. Polis made the announcement at a press briefing in Denver.
Officials are recommending a cloth face mask or a scarf as an essential part of our daily routine. It should cover the mouth and the nose. When washing you should use the hot setting on your washer.
The state has set up the Colorado Mask Project to provide instructions on how to make these masks.
According to that website, DIY masks can help stop the spread of COVID-19 by people who might be infected with the virus, but do not have any symptoms.
And due to the shortages affecting medical professionals and first responders, it's important to leave N95 masks for those workers.
Colorado Mask Project also explains ways to donate masks to others in your community.
Gov. Polis referenced how South Korea and Japan have done a good job of controlling the spread with the enactment of a mask culture.
During Friday's briefing Polis also said businesses are being offered a one-time extension of the sales tax deadline until May 20. There will be no fees or penalties.
There will also not be a penalty or interest to split your property tax payments over April and May. Details on how this works should be addressed with local assessor offices.
In regards to the federal stimulus money expected to be sent out by the Internal Revenue Service, Governor Polis says people should not consider this "free money", rather he bluntly stated the federal government is paying you to stay home in order to prevent spreading the virus, while allowing you to have money for household needs.
Learn more about the payments: irs.gov/coronavirus
A full update on the latest cases in Colorado will come down at 4 p.m., yet Gov. Polis announced there are 4,176 cases, 806 people hospitalized, and so far 105 deaths are attributed to COVID-19.
The plan as of today is to have 3,500 tests a day available in the next two weeks and 5,000 per day by May.
