Pre-Guidance for Businesses – ‘Safer at Home’

lpceda logoBelow is information for ‘Safer at Home Orders’ expected to take place on Monday, April 27, 2020.

  • SJBPH is waiting on the detailed guidance to go along with the governor’s ‘Safer at Home’ plan and cannot currently provide information on what restrictions might lifted or on how specific businesses will be affected. Guidance on ‘safer at home’ is expected on 4/27/20.
  • A key point of the governor’s “safer at home” plan is that Coloradans should remain at home except when absolutely necessary. SJBPH urges people to stay at home except when to obtain essential services.
  • The state is working to develop best practices and specific guidance for different industries. These industries include: retail, offices, elective medical and dental services, childcare, personal services, field services, and real estate.
  • Businesses cannot reopen prior to implementing the relevant “safer at home” guidance from the governor and state agencies
  • Bars, restaurants, gyms, theaters, developed recreation, mass gatherings and special events will not be allowed to open or operate in this phase of Safer at Home.
  • The state has provided expected dates of opening for above (allowed) businesses and preliminary operating requirements for them to open.
  • However, the state has not published detailed requirements that will be used to determine compliance with the order.
  • SJPBH expects those requirements to be released on Monday, April 27th. • SJBPH has the ability to issue a local Stay-at-Home order to extend the current restrictions if deemed necessary.
  • Different jurisdictions are at different places in the “curve” of the disease and may need restrictions to lift at different times. SJBPH has the ability to adjust the opening dates of different types of businesses if deemed necessary.
  • The success of how well individuals and businesses comply with continued social distancing and staying at home strategies will determine whether additional restrictions, including re-imposing a Stay at Home order, will be needed.
  • The proposed timeline for the phased ‘Safer-at-Home’ plan presented by the Governor is:
    • Sunday, April 26:  
      • Last day of Stay at Home Order  
      • Safer at Home Order Issued o Monday,
    • April 27: Public Health Order and guidance to be issued:  
      • Retail – Curbside can begin  
      • Real Estate – showings can resume
    • Friday, May 1  
      • Retail and Personal Services can open if implementing best practices
    • Monday, May 4  
      • Offices can reopen at 50% reduced capacity, if best practices are being implemented.

Note: if you can continue telecommuting at higher levels, you are encouraged to do so

According to the Governor’s office, the goal of this phase is to maintain 60-65% physical distancing.

    • Critical businesses will remain open with strict precautions (social distancing, masks for all employees, more frequent cleanings, etc.)
    • Retail businesses may open for curbside delivery and phased-in public opening with strict precautions.
    • Elective medical and dental procedures begin, with strict precautions to ensure adequate personal protective equipment and the ability to meet critical care needs.
    • Personal services (salons, dog grooming, limited personal training, etc.) will open with strict precautions. (starting May 1st)
    • Telecommuting continues for offices. Starting on May 4, up to 50% of staff can work in person (with social distancing in place).
    • Nightclubs, gyms and spas will remain closed.
    • No group gatherings of more than 10 people.
    • K-12 schools remain online only for the 2019-2020 school year.
    • Vulnerable populations and older adults must stay home unless absolutely necessary.
  • SJBPH believes that good public health practice is still imperative and the ‘Safer at Home’ framework assumes compliance from businesses, public health interventions from LPHAs, and cooperation of local governments on messaging and enforcement.
  • The face covering order issued on 4/17/20 remains in place and is a key strategy in reducing the spread of covid-19.  SJBPH urges businesses to comply with this order.
  • ‘Stay at home’ is still stringently urged by both the governor and public health.
  • Other precautions such as social distancing of 6 feet and frequent and thorough hand washing are still critical in helping reduce spread of covid-19.
  • Workplace best practice policies should include sick leave and symptom checking.
  • Employees should continue to work from home if they are able.

Post courtesy of La Plata County Economic Development Allicance

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