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Release Date: September 3, 2021

Boulder County Indoor Mask Order Takes Effect September 3 at 5 pm

Economic Recovery Boulder County

 

The Boulder County Board of Health approved Public Health Order 2021-08 tonight requiring facial coverings for anyone 2+ in public indoor spaces during periods of substantial or high-transmission of COVID-10, regardless of vaccination status. The order goes into effect September 3rd at 5pm. 

 

The order can be found here to review and key components of the order are detailed below.  And you can find the press release here.  

 

You will also find the following information detailed below:

  • Boulder County Mask Order Update
  • New Mask Signage – Sign REQUIRED at every business
  • Next Industry Support Session on Vaccinations – September 9th at 12:30pm (register at https://bit.ly/BusinessVaccinations_0909)
  • Previous Session Recording
  • Tracking the Data
  • Quarantine and Isolation Links
  • Efficacy of Mask Mandates

 

Check here for more information on the “Approved Fully Vaccinated Facility” program.

 

BOULDER COUNTY MASK ORDERS

Boulder County Indoor Mask Order – Public Health Order 2021-08

View the full press release - https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/COBOULDER/bulletins/2efa4b0

 

To support the safety of all the community members, including children who are not eligible for vaccination, Boulder County Public Health (BCPH) issued Public Health Order 2021-08. The order, approved by Board of Health on Sept. 2, requires mask wearing in all indoor public spaces for all individuals 2 years and older regardless of vaccination status and will go into effect on Friday, Sept. 3 at 5pm.

 

Here are the key components of the order:

  • Public Health Order 2021-08 requires that all individuals age two and older, regardless of vaccination status, wear a face covering in all public indoor spaces in Boulder County.
  • Public Indoor Spaces: The Order applies to public indoor spaces, including but not limited to public transportation, private and public offices, retail stores, personal services, restaurants, bars, event centers, gyms, recreation centers, and manufacturing facilities.  The Order does not apply to private homes, although Boulder County Public Health recommends wearing a face covering when around individuals from another household, particularly if at least one individual is not fully vaccinated.
  • Outdoor Spaces: The Order does not require wearing a mask in any outdoor space. Whenever possible, businesses and individuals should participate in activities with members of different households outside.
  • Limited Exemptions (Particular Individuals):
    • Individuals under the age of 2
    • Those who cannot medically tolerate a face covering - Individuals who cannot medically tolerate a face covering may be exempt from the Order in circumstances required by federal or state law due to a disability or other covered legal circumstance. Businesses should review the State’s Civil Rights Guidance and consult with an attorney as appropriate.
  • Limited Exceptions (Temporary Activities): The Order does have limited exceptions for individuals to remove their mask while performing or participating in the following activities for the duration of that activity only:
    • Individuals who are hearing impaired, or otherwise disabled, or who are communicating with someone who is hearing impaired, or otherwise disabled, and where the ability to see their mouth is essential to communication;
    • Individuals who are seated at a food service establishment or actively eating or
      drinking; 
    • Individuals who are asked to temporarily remove their Face Covering for identification purposes in furtherance of a particular service requiring legal identification;
    • Individuals who are actively engaged in a public safety role such as law enforcement personnel, firefighters, or emergency medical personnel;
    • Individuals who are actively engaged in a performing arts performance, leading religious services, or other similar activities, so long as the individual maintains at least twelve (12) feet distance from non-household members indoors;
    • Individuals who are receiving a personal, religious, or medical service where the temporary removal of a face covering is necessary to perform the service;
    • Individuals who are alone in an enclosed room or only with members of their same household in an enclosed room;
    • Individuals who are in a swimming pool and actively engaged in a pool activity in which their face covering might become wet; and
    • Individuals participating in certain indoor sports activities as permitted by Boulder County Public Health’s sports guidance.
    • Individuals inside an Approved Fully Vaccinated Facility whose owner or operator has submitted and obtained explicit approval from Boulder County Public Health for an exception or exceptions to this mask order as defined in the Approved Fully Vaccinated Facility Guidance. More details to come.
  • Required Signage: All businesses must post signs at entrance(s) instructing individuals of their legal obligation under this Order. See signage options below.
  • Order Expiration: Masks are required in indoor spaces during periods of substantial and high transmission on the CDC Tracker. If Boulder County is in substantial or high transmission status for five consecutive days, masks are required in public indoor spaces. Once transmission decreases to moderate or low levels for 21 consecutive days, masks will no longer be required in public indoor spaces. However, individuals may still choose to wear them, and businesses may still implement policies requiring them.
  • Approved Fully Vaccinated Facility Program: The Order does offer businesses and facilities, that choose to implement a mandatory vaccination policy for their employees and guests, the option of allowing removal of the mask for those individuals within their facility. This is a voluntary program that allows businesses to develop their own policies to encourage and require vaccinations while meeting their specific demographic, community and business needs. More details will be available soon.
  • Masks: Boulder County recommends wearing a surgical mask, N95, or KN95 when possible, though cloth masks that comply with CDC mask guidance meet the requirements of the order.

Please refer to the Boulder County Public Health site for the most recent Q&A and mask order updates - https://www.bouldercounty.org/families/disease/covid-19-information/face-coverings/#individuals-mask.

 

Masks Required In PK-12 and Childcare Settings

To protect health and support continued in-person learning in PK-12 schools and childcare settings, Boulder County Public Health previously issued Public Health Order 2021-07 requiring facial coverings, and that order is still in effect.

 

MASK SIGNAGE – SIGN REQUIRED AT EVERY BUSINESS

New Regional Mask Signs for Businesses to Use (English and Spanish) – https://bit.ly/BOCOMaskSignage

  1. Masks Required (ATTACHED)
  2. Masks Highly Recommended (Regardless of Vaccination Status) – no longer relevant with indoor mask order – DO NOT USE
  3. Masks Required for Unvaccinated – no longer relevant with indoor mask order – DO NOT USE
  4. Our Staff is Wearing Masks to Protect You
  5. Please Keep a Mask Handy
  6. Our Staff is 100% Vaccinated

There are two versions of every sign – one with logos at the bottom for City of Boulder businesses and one without logos for other parts of Boulder County. 

Additional State of Colorado Mask Signs -  English | Spanish

 

INDUSTRY SUPPORT SESSIONS

COVID-19 Cross-Industry Update – Business Vaccination Programs  – Thursday, September 9th at 12:30 pm – register at https://bit.ly/BusinessVaccinations_0909

This meeting will focus on business vaccination programs, including incentives, mandates, and more.  Regional public health leaders will be joined by business leaders and employer agencies to discuss program and answer questions. 

 

Purpose of Support Sessions: Boulder County Public Health and your local Boulder County chambers and economic development partners invite you to get the latest updates on the COVID-19 pandemic, variants affecting our community and current public health orders / recommendations.  The purpose of these sessions is to minimize confusion, get questions answered, hear updates on next steps, and discuss best practices within the industries. Zoom information sent prior to the meeting. 

 

PREVIOUS RECORDINGS

September 2nd Cross-Industry Update - https://youtu.be/0zlqNHdS8Nc  (NOTE: this recording was prior to the passage of the order, and some changes were made during the Board of Health meeting)

Bi-weekly Spanish Update (Vaccinations) - https://youtu.be/yQ8CYNXlsq0

 

All previous recordings can be found at Boulder Chamber - YouTube

All previous Spanish recordings can be found at https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLt0Et7VAC9IbWSxrqKJZdrFaOiCJfIN3V

 

TRACK THE DATA

Here are the data sites that can help you track the data for Boulder County and the region:

NOTE: Boulder County Public Health is following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) comprehensive data tracking system to determine transmission levels. The CDC’s system tracks COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, testing and other metrics to define four levels of community transmission, low, moderate, substantial/significant and high, based on the percentage of positive tests and the number of cases per 100,000 people. The County Level View displays this information for Boulder County. View Boulder County’s current status.

EFFICACY OF MASK ORDERS

Per the request of business professionals, here are some of the studies that cite the efficacy of mask orders (as provided by BCPH):

 

In addition, here are some additional links (as provided by BCPH):

 

QUARANTINE, ISOLATION AND OUTBREAK RESOURCES

All individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 or who have been a close contact of a person with COVID-19 infection, whether symptomatic or asymptomatic, and all individuals who are symptomatic with COVID-19 symptoms as defined by CDPHE are required to isolate or quarantine pursuant to Boulder County Public Health’s General Isolation and Quarantine Guidance by Vaccination Status unless otherwise directed by Boulder County Public Health.

 

Please review the following sites for up-to-date information on outbreaks, isolation and quarantines. 

The following chart is available in the above link to help navigate isolation and quarantine guidance - https://assets.bouldercounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/isolation-quarantine-chart-english.pdf.

We are here to support the community, both individuals and businesses, as we collectively try to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 delta variant (and other variants), mitigate impacts to our economic vitality, and recover from this pandemic together.