These Are The Places Where Masks Are Required In Colorado
BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4)- More municipalities in Colorado are requiring masks as the state enters its "safer-at-home" phase of the coronavirus pandemic.
Gov. Jared Polis is encouraging everyone in Colorado to wear a mask when they are out in public and interacting at a safe distance from people.
According to the colorado.gov website, "Research shows that people who have no symptoms can spread COVID-19. Wearing a non-medical face mask helps minimize the spread of the virus. Everyone should wear a mask when out in public. Employees should wear a mask when working. If possible, masks should be provided to employees."
Some cities in Colorado now require certain people to wear masks.
Everyone in Denver is required to wear a face mask in public starting Wednesday, May 6. That includes all passengers, employees and visitors at Denver International Airport.
The Fort Collins face coverings order went into effect on May 4 and doesn't have a specific expiration time.
In Aspen, that includes wearing a mask or face covering inside any business and in public, both indoors and outdoors, anywhere you may come within 6 feet of someone. Failure to wear a mask could result in a $50 fine for the first offense and a $250 fine for the second offense with any additional offenses resulting in a mandatory court appearance and may include a fine up to $2,650 and/or a year in prison. That law will be in effect through at least May 27.
In Glenwood Springs, the face covering requirement includes wearing a mask anytime you leave your home. That ordinance is set to expire on May 1.
Boulder's city council passed an emergency ordinance in late April that requires a mask to be worn whenever you go inside an essential business, like a bank, grocery store or post office, until May 9. The law stops short of stretching the requirement to trails and other outdoor spaces. All of Boulder County has a similar order that goes into effect starting May 9.
Summit County has enacted a mask order for those who are in a public area like a business or area where there are people who are unable or unwilling to practice social distancing. That order will remain in effect for the foreseeable future.
Wheat Ridge city manager Patrick Goff issued his city's order, which requires that "customers entering critical businesses cover their nose and mouth by wearing a mask or other form of facial covering." The order applies through May 30.
Originally violating the order was punishable by a misdemeanor charge in Wheat Ridge, but the city council passed a resolution with a revision. Now, the city is asking for compliance and will handle complaints on a case-by-case basis.
According to the safer-at-home order, non-critical health care service providers like chiropractors and acupuncturists are required to wear a medical grade mask while working.
The Centers for Disease Control says wearing a mask is important because "the virus can spread between people interacting in close proximity ... even if those people are not exhibiting symptoms."
Despite some of these mask requirements and guidelines, some businesses and the public are not complying. In Arapahoe County, CBS4 found employees at two Home Depot stores were not wearing masks while helping customers.
LINK: Colorado.gov