Colorado Governor Jared Polis extended the COVID-19 mask order for another 30 days on Saturday, but made some important changes that mean face-covering is no longer needed in most public institutions in nearly half of the state’s provinces. is not – a large piece of land it includes only about 4% of the population.
The changes to the Colorado Mask Mandate, which went into effect last year, come as more than 1 million Coloradans are now vaccinated against the coronavirus, and the state has opened up access to vaccination to anyone over the age of 16.
The new order divides mask rules between counties in Level Green on the state’s color-coded restriction button – currently 31, which represents a population of 238,286 – and counties at all the higher levels, starting at Level Blue and going through yellow, orange red and purple.
The latter group is a geographic area that includes the Denver region and the other major population centers of the state, representing 5.5 million people.
Here is the new mask sequence up close:
Where are masks needed in Level Green provinces?
For people in Level Green provinces, the order of the whole mask is largely lifted, which means that people, who go to grocery stores, gyms or other stores, no longer have to wear masks unless the businesses have their own rules.
But there are exceptions, institutions where government officials say that transmission is still likely – including schools, as children under the age of 16 still cannot be vaccinated.
Masks are still needed in Level Green provinces:
- Schools, including extracurricular activities
- Childcare Centers
- Indoor camps for children
- State facilities for the public
- Emergency medical facilities and other health care facilities, including hospitals, ambulance service centers, urgent care
centers, non-outpatient surgical structures, clinics, doctors’ offices and medical structures for non-urgent care - Personal services, including hair salons, nail salons, aesthetic services, body art professionals, etc.
- Municipal care facilities, prisons and prisons.
Where are masks needed in Level Blue and higher provinces?
The vast majority of Coloradans live in counters at Level Blue and above, and they are subject to the same basic mask requirement as people in Level Green provinces – with one major addition.
Masks should also be worn in public indoor environments where there are ten or more vaccinated people. And the state says businesses and facilities should “wander off by assuming people entering their indoor grounds are not vaccinated.”
In the Blue Blue provinces and above the knob, masks should be used in most indoor public places, including grocery stores, gyms, banks and other retailers.
Here is the complete list of where masks are needed in Provinces with Level Blue or higher:
- Any public indoor public institution where there are ten or more people who have not been vaccinated or people with an unknown vaccination status
- Schools, including extracurricular activities
- Childcare Centers
- Indoor camps for children
- State Government Facilities for the Public
- Emergency medical facilities and other health care facilities, including hospitals, ambulance service centers, emergency care centers, non-outpatient surgical structures, clinics, doctor’s offices and medical structures for non-urgent care
- Personal services, including hair salons, nail salons, aesthetic services, body art professionals, etc.
- Municipal care facilities, prisons and prisons.
How do I know at what level my country is?
Check the state color code map at covid19.colorado.gov.
Can local governments or businesses impose stricter mask rules?
Yes, the health department throughout the pandemic has allowed local municipalities, including cities and provinces, to impose stricter health rules to limit the spread of COVID-19.
The mayor of Denver has already said he will keep the city’s mask order at least in early May, regardless of what the state does. San Juan Basin Public Health, which covers the provinces of Archuleta and La Plata, last week issued a more restrictive mask mandate requiring face masks in all public indoor environments unless everyone is present.
On Monday, Jefferson County amended its order (which requires masks to be worn in indoor public spaces and 6-foot social distance can not be maintained) to no longer require face masks to be worn in public spaces.
Boulder County has also updated its order to continue to require masks for anyone over 10 in public indoor spaces. And although masks are not needed outdoors in the country, it is recommended if it is not possible to remove 6 meters, officials said.
Ultimately, businesses remain free to require their customers to wear masks, even if local or local regulations do not require it.
Where and in what situations are masks not needed?
Colorado’s nationwide order does not require outdoor mask use, and has the following additional exceptions:
- If you are hearing impaired or otherwise disabled or communicate with someone who is hearing impaired or otherwise disabled and where the ability to see mouth is essential for communication
- If you work for a food service company
- If you exercise alone or with others from your household and a face mask will affect the activity
- If you receive a personal service where the temporary removal of the face mask is required to perform the service
- When you enter a business or receive services and are asked to temporarily remove a face mask for identification purposes
- If you are actively engaged in a public safety role, such as law enforcement, firefighters or emergency medical personnel
- If you perform or participate in a life ritual or religious service, where the temporary removal of a face mask is required to complete or participate in the service
- When to give a speech for broadcast or for an audience
When does the current mask order expire and will it be extended?
The amended order runs until May 2 and according to government officials, the governor will review the matter with his legal team and public health experts before deciding to renew, amend or expire it again. By that point, government officials expected to have passed most of the decision-making on COVID-19 rules on public health to local authorities.