CONEJOS/COSTILLA COUNTIES – Monday, Nov. 17, Conejos and Alamosa counties moved to Stage 3 “Level Orange Safer at Home High Risk” status on the State COVID-19 Dial. Costilla County will move to “Level Orange” at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18. Rio Grande and Saguache county officials are meeting with Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) again later this week to continue the conversation about their status.

Hospitalizations are up, both here and around the state. The rapid rise in COVID-19 cases has made effective contact tracing very difficult. There is a high level of illness in the community, with a large number of people isolated and quarantined.

General guidelines for Level Orange are summarized below. There may be additional guidelines for specific sectors.
Mitigation Strategies:
1. We will move all our activities from the Level 2 (“Yellow” Safer at Home – Concern) to Level 3 (“Orange” Level Safer at Home High Risk).

General guidelines for Level Orange are summarized below (and with specific additional guidelines for specific sectors).

Public and private gatherings are limited to no more than 10 individuals from no more than 2 households.

Face Coverings. Face coverings are required for all individuals in public indoor settings unless the individual is 2 years of age or younger or cannot medically tolerate a face covering.

Capacity. Most businesses, offices, and places of worship that have been operating at 50% capacity will shift down to 25% of capacity, or 50 persons per room, whichever is less and while maintaining proper distancing.

Specific Areas to be impacted by this Mitigation Plan:

Capacity Restriction County-wide Parameters: To address Level Orange – Safer at Home High Risk

Personal Gathering Size: Up to 10 from no more than 2 households

P-12 Schools: In-person, hybrid or remote as appropriate

Higher Education: Remote or hybrid suggested, limited in person as appropriate, and other major strategies to increase social distancing

Places of worship and Life Rites:
Indoors Unseated Functions: 25% capacity or 50 (whichever is less)

Indoor seated Functions: 25%, 50 person capacity (whichever is less)

Outdoors: 6ft between parties  outdoors, per local zoning

Restaurants:
Indoors: 25% capacity, 50 people (whichever is less)

Outdoors: 6 feet between parties  outdoors, per local zoning

Non-Critical Manufacturing: 25% capacity or 50 people (whichever is less)

Offices: 25% capacity (Here, remote work is highly encouraged)

Bars: Closed

Gyms/Fitness: 25% capacity, 25 indoors, or outdoors in groups less than 10

Group sports and Camps: Virtual, or outdoors in groups less than 10

Retail: 25% capacity

Personal services: 25% capacity or 25 people (whichever is less)

Limited Health Care Settings: 25% capacity or 25 people (whichever is less)

Events:
Indoor Unseated: 25%, 50 person capacity (whichever is less)

Indoor Seated: 25%, 50 person capacity (6ft distancing between parties)

Outdoor Unseated: 25%, 75 person capacity (whichever is less)

Outdoor Seated: 25%, 75 person capacity (6ft distancing between parties)

Outdoor Guided Services 25% capacity or 10 people

General Education: Providing County employees and community with education on COVID-19 is critical to the health and safety of all county employees and community members. The RGC COVID-19 Lead staff and public health shall connect with restaurants, businesses, and stores on the above capacity restriction and general expectations for compliance. The COVID-19 Lead staff (Public Health Department/Human Resources Department) shall ensure that all existing, new and returning employees are educated on the new COVID-19 job site requirements. This can be done as a site safety meeting as long as the employees are able to distance during the meeting or conduct a series with each county departments. The site COVID-19 lead shall ensure that:

On-site employees are educated on COVID-19 to include:
General information about COVID-19.

How COVID-19 is contracted and transmitted to other people.

How to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Hygiene procedures specific to COVID-19.

Company policies, procedures and protocols developed in response to COVID- 19.

Customer requirements regarding COVID-19.

Reporting procedures if the employee feels they are sick, have been exposed or tests positive.

Site Safety Plan
Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response Plan

COVID-19 Supervisors Kit and Binder

Hand-washing practices established by the CDC, DOH or WHO.

Fact sheets regarding COVID-19.

Signs and Symptom fact sheet regarding COVID-19.

Recordkeeping shall be completed by the supervisor. Attendance shall be communicated verbally and the supervisor shall document attendance on the roster.