Larimer County, Colo. – The Larimer County Department of Health & Environment (LCDHE) has issued a Public Health Order (PHO) to help guide the county through the next phase of the COVID-19 pandemic and toward a full reopening. The Larimer County order has been issued as Colorado’s Executive Order PHO 20-36 and the Dial 3.0 has expired.
The intent of the local Public Health Order is to protect the Larimer County community and to slow the spread of COVID-19 as progress in vaccination efforts continues, while using best public health practices to support the reopening of businesses and begin to return to life as normal. LCDHE’s Eighth Amended PHO is effective on April 16, and is in effect for 30 days.
On Tuesday, public health officials with the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) encouraged local public health officials to implement county-level restrictions that will suppress transmission of the virus while supporting economic recovery efforts. This transition establishes that restrictions be based on local conditions rather than statewide public health orders.
The Larimer County order will mostly align local restrictions with what was Level Blue of Colorado’s Dial 3.0. This means that Larimer County businesses will now have fewer restrictions and increased capacity limits to guide operations than before under Level Yellow. Nearly 400 Larimer County businesses that are Level Up/5-Star certified have been operating in Level Blue for the past several weeks and are required to follow the new local order at this time.
“It’s possible we’re only about a month away from removing all COVID-19 restrictions, but we need everyone’s help to cross the finish line by continuing to wear a mask, social distance, and get vaccinated as soon as possible,” said Public Health Director Tom Gonzales. “Due to increased vaccination efforts, we are confident this 30 day order will give our community time to begin to see significant and sustained declines in disease transmission and hospitalizations that are necessary to end the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The LCDHE local mask order, the Seventh Amended PHO, remains in effect and all residents and visitors in Larimer County must continue to wear a mask in indoor public spaces when 6 foot distancing cannot be maintained from non-household members. In areas where the statewide mask order is more restrictive, individuals must follow those requirements.
To read the full Larimer County Eighth Amended PHO as well as new capacity limits and comparisons for various businesses and activities, visit www.larimer.org/larimerdial.
The Larimer County Department of Health & Environment has a webpage dedicated to helping residents find information about COVID-19 vaccination and register for an appointment at www.larimer.org/covidvaccine. The direct link to schedule an appointment to get a COVID-19 vaccine is: https://larimerhealth.secure.force.com/Vaccine/. Individuals may also call LCDHE at 970-498-5500 for assistance scheduling an appointment. Phone assistance is available in English and Spanish. Appointments are currently available for Pfizer and Moderna vaccines at sites in Loveland and Fort Collins.
Information about COVID-19 is constantly changing, and the public health response adjusts as more is learned about this virus. While there is plenty of news and media information available, LCDHE is encouraging Larimer County residents to view the latest credible information on COVID-19 at www.larimer.org/covid19 or www.CDC.gov/coronavirus. Additionally, residents are encouraged to follow LCDHE’s Facebook and Twitter accounts at @LarimerHealth.