Mesa county to start Implementing Safer at home guidelines

By Matt Kennedy

Mesa Country is trying to open back up again. 

20 states in the United States are poised to partially re-open in the next week and Colorado is on that list. While Denver and its surrounding counties have extended their Stay At Home order into May, Mesa County is one of the areas that is looking to get the local economy back up and running again. 

The new Safer at Home order will take place starting this week and this is what folks in Grand Junction can expect: 

Gatherings

• Public gatherings are still being asked to restrict the number of people present to ten or less. 
• Social distancing practices of standing six feet apart is still strongly recommended.
• Large venues like bowling alleys, movie theatres, nightclubs, and sporting event facilities will remain closed. 

Retail and personal services 

• Spas will remain closed.
• Critical (essential) businesses that were open during the Stay at Home order should continue the same social distancing practices and precautions. 
• As much as possible, continue curbside delivery while phasing into public openings.
• Personal services (saloons, tattoo parlors, etc.) and non-critical can open under strict guidelines laid out by the state government. 

Restaurants

• Bars will remain closed, including those that are attached to restaurants.
• Continuing takeout delivery and curbside pickup as much as possible. 
• Can start phasing into opening seating areas but at 30 percent of fire code capacity. 
• Maintaining or implementing non-touch payment methods. 
• Group parties should be limited to more than six people. 

Medical and Health Services

• Visitation to hospitals and senior living facilities is still prohibited. 
• Elective surgeries can resume. 
• Elective health services can reopen while adhering to precautions laid out by local and state government. 

Recreation and Gyms

• Park facilities that pertain to gatherings and playgrounds will remain closed. 
• Park facilities that maintain social distancing such as hiking trails, open spaces and golf courses will remain open. 
• Gyms can open with minimal operations if physical distancing and required cleaning practices are met.