Jefferson County to Move to “Safer-at-Home” Level Beginning May 9

Graphic from Jefferson County Public Health

From Jefferson County Public Health:

Along with other counties in the Denver Metro region, Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) will allow the county’s extension of the Stay-at-Home order to expire at midnight on May 8. This means that on May 9, Critical Businesses can remain open, and many non-Critical Businesses can begin to open with some restrictions according to the state’s Safer-at-Home order.

“Our community has taken the steps needed to help slow the spread of COVID-19 these past few months, and has continued to be diligent about social distancing precautions during the extended Stay-at-Home period in Jeffco,” said Dr. Mark B. Johnson, MD, MPH, Executive Director, Jefferson County Public Health. “It was not easy for anyone, but progress has been made, especially in these last few weeks.”

Since the local extension of the Stay-At-Home order began on April 27, access to COVID-19 testing and personal protective equipment (PPE) has improved, with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) providing additional testing and PPE to local providers and test sites. Before May 9, JCPH will also have a plan in partnership with the Colorado Volunteer Mobilizer — a network of health and medical volunteers — so we can train and rapidly expand capacity for COVID-19 disease tracking and contact tracing.

“With this progress, we feel more confident in easing restrictions and getting back to business,” Johnson said. “We have been working very closely with the Jefferson County business community to ensure they have the public health guidance and resources they need, and to get valuable feedback on our overall approach for safely reopening. This is an important next step in this response and as we look ahead to recovery, and we are very grateful for our partnership with business leaders.”

Over the past week, JCPH — in collaboration with CDPHE, county and city leadership, the Jefferson County Business and Workforce Center and local Chambers of Commerce — has worked to develop public health guidance for businesses, including requirements for all businesses as well as specific guidance for a variety of industry sectors. We have also developed “Open for Business,” a new campaign to help local businesses show their commitment to keeping their customers and employees safe as they reopen. The complete guidance and resource hub for businesses is available on our website at www.jeffco.us/safer-at-home.

While many businesses will be changing how they operate due to the pandemic, it is important to remember that many of the actions required under the Stay-at-Home order still apply under the new Safer-at-Home level.

Individuals are strongly advised to continue staying at home to the greatest extent possible, only interacting with household contacts and only leaving for essential activities. People at greater risk of severe illness from COVID-19, such as people 65 and older, should continue to stay at home unless leaving is absolutely necessary.

In addition, everyone should continue to take these disease prevention actions:

• Wear a non-medical face covering when away from your home.
• Stay at least six feet away from others if you must go out.
• If you have symptoms of COVID-19, isolate yourself until your medical status is confirmed with appropriate testing.
• Do not go to work or other public spaces if you are sick.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
• Only travel when absolutely essential.

For more information about the Safer-at-Home level, visit www.jeffco.us/safer-at-home or covid19.colorado.gov/safer-at-home.

Joel Newton

Joel has been a resident of Edgewater, Colorado with his family since 2012. He is the Executive Director of local education nonprofit Edgewater Collective and Editor of the Edgewater Echo.