DENVER (KDVR) — As COVID-19 cases continue to surge in Colorado, new orders and guidelines were issued on Tuesday for the City and County of Denver.
Currently, Denver is at a Level 2 on the COVID-19 dial. On Tuesday, Mayor Hancock announced the City of Denver and Denver county will be moved to a Safer at Home Level 3.
Here is a gallery of slides from the mayor’s news conference:
Here’s what a Safer at Home Level 3 means:
- P-12 Schools: Remote or hybrid suggested, limited in-person as appropriate
- Higher Education: Remote or hybrid suggested, limited in-person as appropriate
- Restaurants: 25% capacity or 50 people 6 feet between parties outdoors, per local zoning
- Places of Worship: 25% capacity or 50 people 6 feet between parties outdoors, per local zoning
- Offices: 25% capacity
- Bars: Closed
- Gyms/Fitness: Virtual or outdoors in groups less than 25 (updated by CDPHE) Note: Denver gyms are still under Level 2 restrictions, according to Mayor Hancock.
- Group Sports: Virtual or outdoors in groups less than 10
- Retail: 25% capacity
- Personal Services: 25% capacity or 25 people
- Indoor Events: 25 person cap
- Outdoor Events: 75 person cap
- Senior Facilities: Closed except for compassionate visitation
- Outdoor recreation: 25% capacity or 10 people
Beth Gruitch, co-owner of Crafted Concepts which includes Rioja Restaurant in Larimer Square, said she understands more must be done because of the rise in COVID cases.
“We are doing everything in our power. We are very clean. We are disinfecting. When you look at the numbers they are not restaurant related,” Gruitch said.
Restaurants across the state have already been struggling.
Gruitch said, “at 25% that might be the nail in the coffin for some. And if we are headed into another shutdown that’ll be detrimental for most.”
The Colorado Restaurant Association says their members need 75% capacity to have a medium chance of surviving.
Mayor Hancock said moving to a Safer at Home Level 3 does not impact voting.