Denver Indoor Mask Mandate To End Amid Declining COVID-19 Cases

DENVER, CO — Denver's requirement that people wear a mask indoors or show proof of vaccination will expire Thursday, Mayor Michael Hancock said. Masks will still be required in schools and childcare facilities.

“Beginning Friday, people will no longer be required under the public health order to wear a mask or show proof of vaccination for entry into a place of business in Denver,” Hancock said at a news conference Monday.

Modeling indicated that lifting the face order now will not affect the downward trend of cases, Bob McDonald, executive director of the Denver Department of Public Health & Environment, told reporters.

In response to a question about why students will need to continue wearing them in schools, McDonald said not all children are eligible ti be vaccinated, and that they had to factor in state quarantining policies since the goal is to keep kids in school.

"If we lift that and there's an outbreak, those kids will have to quarantine," McDonald said.

"We have to be a little bit more thoughtful than just looking at the data," he added.

The seven-day average of COVID-19 hospitalizations have been declining in Denver since Jan. 18, health data showed. One-week case rates have also steadily declined after peaking at about 1921 per 100,000 on Jan. 10.