September 2, 2021 5:33 PM
Mask Requirement in Public Indoor Spaces Protects Education and Economy
(September 2, 2021) – Last night at 11:59 pm MST, a county-wide public health policy requiring masks in public indoor places went into effect.
The requirement applies to business employees and members of the public who visit public indoor places including all individuals 2 years of age and older, regardless of vaccination status.
“What we’re really seeing every day is that this is a crisis of the unvaccinated. Even a subset of those who are vaccinated with adverse effects [of infection] are generally people who are immunosuppressed or other conditions,” said Colorado Governor Jared Polis during today’s press conference. “The virus is the enemy, and we have the secret weapon to defeat it.”
With forty-four local cases, three hospitalizations and two deaths amongst residents reported in the state system over the last week, Public Health has been working with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to discuss transmission mitigation. The mask requirement implemented last night is a necessary layer of protection added across the county to address the sustained increase in transmission.
“There are several goals for our next thirty days of mitigation, especially during the Labor Day holiday weekend,” said Public Health Director Grace Franklin. “First and foremost, to keep our kids in school and our businesses open. Additionally, to keep our vulnerable populations safe from transmission including young, elderly immunocompromised, medically compromised, and unvaccinated people. Finally, to head into colder months in a better place.”