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Activated during disasters and emergencies to provide critical public information. Administered by the Summit County Office of Emergency Management.

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Mar 16

Standing Public Health Order, Including Limitations on Sale of Food, Beverages and Retail Goods

Posted on March 16, 2020 at 5:27 PM by Julie Sutor

AMENDED AND RESTATED
STANDING PUBLIC HEALTH ORDER

RELATING TO PUBLIC EVENTS; LIMITATIONS ON THE SALE OF FOOD, BEVERAGES, AND RETAIL GOODS; AND RESTRICTIONS ON LODGING AND TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

SUMMIT COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTOR
MARCH 16, 2020

1. Purpose, Effective Area.  This Public Health Order is being issued to limit the health impacts of COVID-19.  This Order sets forth requirements for group gatherings and additional guidance to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus.  This Order is effective within the entirety of Summit County, including all towns within the County. 

2. Effective Date and Time, Limitations. The Public Health Order will become effective at 10:00 p.m. on March 16, 2020, unless otherwise specifically provided for herein, and will remain in effect until further notice.  

3. Legal Authority.  This Order is adopted pursuant to the legal authority set forth in sections 25-1-506 and 25-1-508, 25-1-509, Colorado Revised Statutes as well as all other applicable laws, rules, regulations, orders and declarations. Under this authority, the Summit County Public Health Director has the duty to investigate and control the causes of the epidemic or communicable diseases and conditions affecting public health; to establish, maintain, and enforce isolation and quarantine; to exercise physical control over the property and over the persons of the people within the territorial limits of Summit County; and to prohibit the gatherings of people to protect the public health; all as the Public Health Director may find necessary for the protection of the public health.  Immediate issuance of this Order is deemed reasonable and necessary under the existing circumstances and necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety and welfare.

4. Definitions.  
A. For purposes of this Order, an “event” is defined as a gathering for business, social, or recreational activities including, but not limited to, community, civic, public, leisure, or sporting events; parades; concerts; festivals; assemblies; conventions; fundraisers; and similar activities. 
An event does not include activities that are primarily individual in nature or occur in small groups or in non-congregate settings, such as places of employment or primarily small-group sports like hiking or skiing, or activities like shopping, as long as social distancing occurs, particularly in areas where congregating in groups is unavoidable.
B. For purposes of this Order, “retail goods and services” is defined as all commercial establishments offering goods, products or services for sale to the general public at an established physical location, except for: the Summit County Justice Center, federal, state, local and special district facilities, public utilities or utility service providers (e.g. electric utility providers, internet services providers, water and sewer service providers), banks, title companies, grocery stores (e.g. Safeway, Vitamin Cottage, City Market, Whole Foods), hardware stores, medical service providers (e.g. hospitals, doctor’s offices medical clinics, veterinarians, medical supply companies, dental offices, physical therapists, pharmacies), retail gas/fuel stations, car dealerships/auto mechanic facilities, car rental companies, pet food stores, package liquor stores, marijuana dispensaries, and department stores (e.g. Wal-mart, Target).  
C. For purposes of this Order, “transportation services” shall include all transportation services open to the public including the Summit Stage, Breckenridge Free Ride, mountain shuttle services to the extent they operate in the County (e.g. Colorado Mountain Express), and ride-sharing services (e.g. Uber, Lyft).
D. For purposes of this Order, “short-term lodging” shall include but is not limited to hotels, motels, short term rentals of 30 days or less (e.g. Air BnB, VRBO), bed and breakfasts, condo-tels, lodges and retreats.

5. Large Events and Gatherings (More than 50 attendees). This Order prohibits all large events of more than 50 people. Events or gatherings of less than 50 attendees are also prohibited unless measures are taken to minimize risk as provided for herein. The sale of food and beverages, including liquor, beer and wine is limited to carry-out and delivery only, no on-site consumption of food or beverages is permitted, as provided below. 

6. Events and Gatherings with Less Than 50 Attendees. Events with fewer than 50 attendees are prohibited unless the event organizer or venue owner takes the following required steps to mitigate risks.
a. Proper hand hygiene and sanitation measures must be readily available to all attendees, employees, and vendors and frequently utilized by all employees and vendors. 
b. Environmental cleaning guidelines from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) must be followed (e.g., clean and disinfect high touch surfaces frequently).
c. Social distancing recommendations must be met, include limiting contact of people within 6 feet from each other for 10 minutes or longer, and any other applicable social distancing requirements that are promulgated.
d. Employees must be screened for coronavirus symptoms each day and excluded if symptomatic.
e. Organizers of events must ask attendees if they have symptoms of COVID-19 and, if they do, prohibit symptomatic attendees from attending the event.  This screening for COVID-19 symptoms should occur daily for all event attendees.  
f. Older adults and individuals with underlying medical conditions that are at increased risk of serious COVID-19 must be encouraged not to attend (including employees).

7. Limitations on the Sale of Food and Beverages, Including Liquor, Beer and Wine, to Carry-Out and Delivery Only.  
a. The sale of food and beverages in Summit County, including liquor, beer and wine is limited to carry-out and delivery only, subject to all other applicable licensing and regulatory requirements (e.g. delivery of alcohol and marijuana continues to be prohibited).
b. The on-site consumption of food or beverages is prohibited; however, the sales of food and beverages at business or institutional facilities for consumption elsewhere at the facility, away from the point of sale, is permitted.
c. Lines for carry-out in establishments should have an environment where patrons and staff maintain social distancing (six feet away from other people) whenever reasonably possible.
d. It is recommended that all payment transactions occur electronically or verbally prior to any food or beverage pick-up so that no cash or credit/debit cards are physically exchanged.

8. Limitations on Establishments Providing Retail Goods and Services.

a. Establishments providing retail goods and services, as specifically defined above, are prohibited from operating unless exempted in this Section 8 below.  All establishments that remain operational under the parameters of this Order shall abide by the social distancing and all other applicable requirements of this Order.
b. Exceptions: Establishments providing retail goods may continue to provide goods via online or over-the-phone sales, provided that goods ordered through such means must be delivered by mail or by delivery to a customer’s home or a customer’s vehicle located outside of the retail location.
c. Exception: All interior sales operations at retail gas/fuel stations shall be limited to the hours between 5:00 a.m. and 12:00 midnight.
d. Limit on Hours of Operations: Commencing Tuesday, March 17, 2020, operations at all establishments providing retail goods and services that are excepted from the prohibitions of this Order shall be limited to the hours between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

9. Limitations on Transportation Services.
a. Bus services will be suspended after the end of their scheduled service, approximately 2:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 17, 2020.
b. Taxis, and ride-sharing services such as Uber, and Lyft shall cease operations at 12:00 midnight Monday, March 16, 2020.
c. Shuttle services may operate through 12:00 noon Thursday, March 19, 2020, or as otherwise necessary for good cause in order to provide transportation for visitors leaving the County and residents returning home to the County.

10. Limitations on Short-Term Lodging.
a. All short term lodging operations shall immediately cease taking new reservations for the period between today, March 16, 2020 and April 6, 2020.
b. All short term lodging units shall vacate their premises by 12 noon Thursday, March 19, 2020.
c. Exception: If individual(s) are experiencing symptoms of illness, or are under a quarantine or isolation order from Summit County Public Health, or have other good cause to do so they may remain in any short term lodging unit occupied by such individual(s) and shall be exempt from the limitations set forth herein so long as such individual(s) remain in the unit.

11. General Information for all Persons. The Public Health Director strongly recommends that residents and visitors cancel or avoid all non-essential events, regardless of size, where appropriate social distancing and preventative measures may not occur.


Visitors to or non-full time residents of Summit County are strongly encouraged to return to their primary residence as soon as practicable, and comply with Governor Polis’ recommendations regarding self-quarantine.

In consultation with the Summit County Public Health Director, Summit School District Re-1 has dismissed all classes through April 3, 2020.   

These actions are some of the most available and effective tools to help slow the spread of the virus in our community – and, importantly, to reduce the number of potential deaths caused by COVID-19. By slowing the spread, we have a chance to protect our family, friends, and neighbors who are at risk for severe illness. In particular, this includes all adults over age 60 and anyone with an underlying health condition. 

These actions will limit the cascading impacts on critical services due to high absenteeism if large numbers of workers become ill. This Order and actions will help hospitals, first responders, and other healthcare services continue to provide services for those who need them (along with utilities, human services, and businesses) in the coming weeks and months. Collective action can save lives and is in support of the most vulnerable in our community. The more united we can be in preventing the spread the greater the benefit for the whole community. 

12. Penalties. Failure to comply with this Order is subject to the penalties contained in Section 25-1-516 and 18-1.3-501, Colorado Revised Statutes, including a fine of up to five thousand ($5,000) dollars and imprisonment in the county jail for up to eighteen (18) months.


By: Amy Wineland, RN, MSN, ND, CPNP
Summit County Public Health Director
March 15, 2020