By Steven Bonifazi
(DENVER, Colo.) An updated COVID-19 public health order goes into effect statewide Tuesday, removing all capacity restrictions for indoor events and making minor changes to mask requirements for children.
The order, which is set to expire July 1, was updated by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment after additional COVID-19 restrictions such as the statewide mask mandate have ended. State venues like the Ball Arena have already been approved for large crowds at Avalanche and Nuggets games.
"I hope it brings back crowds," said Barb Dye, president of the Colorado Music Business Organization. "I was thinking back to 1918 when we had the Spanish Flu, people were pretty much locked down and then when they finally had the opportunity to get out, they went nuts and I think the same thing is going to happen now."
According to 9News, the precursor health order restrictions regarding indoor events in the state had permitted 100% capacity as long as social distancing was in place. Furthermore, it also set capacity limits to 500 people and spared children from face mask requirements.
With the Pfizer vaccine now approved for people over the ages of 12, the updated health order applies to children 11 and under, not requiring them to wear face masks even if not vaccinated. People who cannot medically wear a face mask, those communicating with people that are hearing impaired, firefighters, law enforcement, emergency medical personnel and those playing an instrument that requires their mouth are exempt from the updated health order.
Face masks or coverings are still required for the following people and places in Colorado:
- Students who are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated, as well as staff and visitors at K-12 schools and childcare centers
- Unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles are required to wear masks inside their offices as well as people who enter the DMV.
- Unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated incarcerated residents, staff and visitors at prisons and jails.
- Unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated patients, visitors and personnel that work within emergency medical and healthcare settings.