New Public Health Orders Issued In Denver: What To Know

DENVER, CO — New coronavirus guidelines were announced Friday in Denver as the city faces an increase in cases.

The first order, effective immediately, requires people to wear masks outdoors, with some exceptions:

• If you are alone outdoors, you don't need to wear a mask
• You aren't required to wear a mask if you're with members of your household
• Those participating in organized sports are exempt

The second order, which will remain in place until Nov. 16, reduces public and private gatherings from 10 people to 5 people. Non-organized sports games (such as friends gathering in parks) must include no more than five people. The order also applies to meetings; however schools and businesses that have separate allowances (such as restaurants) will be exempt from the order.

"In restaurant settings, 10 people from different households may continue to sit together because this activity falls under the state public health orders, where restaurants must already have protective criteria in place—such as only being able to take off face coverings when seated and specific sanitation measures," The Denver Department of Public Health and Environment said in a news release. "These safeguards don’t exist in unregulated settings, like parks."

Denver is at Level 2 of Colorado's COVID-19 Dial, but the city could shift to Level 3 if the case rates don't decline, Mayor Michael Hancock said during a news conference Friday morning.

"That would be devastating to our economy," Hancock said. “We are working to strike a balance between keeping people healthy and keeping Denver’s economy alive.”

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If Denver shifts to Level 3, the following guidelines would change:

• Restaurants would be under reduced capacities and an earlier last call for alcohol sales
• Non-critical manufacturing businesses, offices and shops would face reduced capacities
• Both outdoor and indoor events would be placed under stricter guidelines

Over the past week, 914 new cases of the coronavirus have been reported in Denver, the latest public health data shows. The case rates are the "highest they've ever been," officials said.

“We have a responsibility to our community to enact reasonable measures that can temper the rising numbers,” said Robert McDonald, executive director of the Denver Public Health and Environment.

“If we work together now and follow these basic rules, we hope to decrease and stabilize our case numbers. This is how we keep our businesses and restaurants open and our community safe. If we are successful, we will hopefully enjoy more freedoms and less fear during the upcoming holidays.”