JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. – Some bars will have to close and restaurants and gyms will have to return to 50% capacity starting Friday due to an increase in COVID-19 cases and hospital admissions in Jefferson County.
“Unfortunately, we are sliding in the wrong direction,” said Dr. Dawn Comstock, executive director of Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH), in a press release sent to Denver7 on Wednesday.
The province reported 142.7 cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 residents during the period March 31 – April 6, which is higher than the Level Blue metrics (115 cases per 100,000 residents for five consecutive days) in the COVID-19 state dial.
Comstock said the majority of new cases among adults are between the ages of 20 and 39, adding that the majority of the county’s outbreaks were reported within schools and unregulated businesses, such as offices and shops.
“Other factors contributing to the increase in the spread of the community include significantly reduced social distance and the spread of virus variants,” Comstock said in a press release.
The announcement of the county’s move to a more restrictive level on the color-coded dial comes a day after Jefferson County changed its public health order on masks, no longer needing them in outdoor areas, but still mandating them for indoor public settings.
Under Level Yellow, the following restrictions are in effect from Friday, April 9 at 6 AM:
- Restaurants are limited to 50% of the posted occupancy limit, with a maximum of 150 people per room. The last call is at 1:00 am
- Bars must close unless serving food.
- Indoor events are limited to 50% of the posted occupancy limit, with a maximum of 150 people per room within the usable space. The usable space for seated events and non-seated events with less than 50 people is calculated using a distance of 1.8 meters between non-domestic contacts. For non-seated events with more than 50 people, the usable space should be calculated using the Distance Space Calculator.
- Outdoor events are limited to 50% of the posted occupancy limit, with no more than 175 people within the usable space per designated area calculated using the Distance Space Calculator. If the event is seated, the usable space should be calculated using a distance of 1.8 meters between non-household members.
- Recreation, including gyms, recreation centers and swimming pools, is limited to 50% capacity, no more than 50 people per room for indoor or outdoor activities. Devices larger than 7200 square feet can use the Distant Space Calculator to expand up to 100 customers per room within their usable space.
- Organized sports are limited to 25 players, excluding coaches, referees and umpires.
- Guided outdoor activities are limited to 50% capacity, no more than 10 people.
- Youth camps are limited to 10 participants indoors and 25 participants outdoors.
- Companies that have certified the Jefferson County Five Star Certification Program are allowed to operate under the limits of Leve Blue.
“None of us want to back down on the Dial after all the hard work we’ve put in and the sacrifices we’ve made,” Comstock said. “It is important that we take the necessary steps now to reverse this trend so that we have the opportunity to celebrate the things and people we love and enjoy. We missed many of these special occasions last year, but if we work hard now, it may not be until 2021. “
Comstock continued to urge residents to wear masks, maintain a good social distance of six feet from others, and avoid gatherings.
At least two other Colorado counties moved to more restrictive levels on the dial this week: Summit County moved to Level Orange on Wednesday and Pueblo County moved to Level Yellow on Tuesday due to new spikes in COVID-19 cases.