New Curfew Announced In Adams County Amid Coronavirus Surge

Arvada CO

06 November, 2020

7:00 PM

Description

ADAMS COUNTY, CO — A new public health order was announced in Adams County Friday amid a continued spike in coronavirus cases. The Tri-County Health Department is issuing a curfew, which goes into effect at 10 p.m. Saturday. Everyone except essential workers will need to be off public streets between 10 p.m. and 5 p.m., the department said. "This new order is really a 5-alarm call to action, like an evacuation in the face of a wildfire," said John Douglas, executive director of the Tri-County Health Department. "The curfew essentially means that unless you are an essential worker or have an urgent reason to be out, everyone should be in their homes from 10 pm to 5 am. The restrictions might seem uncomfortable, but we believe that they are one of our last best hopes to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community without the necessity of Adams County moving to the Stay at Home orders that we had in the spring. "That really depends on all of us adhering to public health advice and orders and not interacting with small or large groups of people outside of our households. The truth can be tiresome and inconvenient, but it really is in the hands of all of us to work together to stop the spread." The new public health order will remain in effect for 30 days, health officials said. Don't miss the latest coronavirus updates from health and government officials in Arvada: Free Newsletters and Email Alerts | Facebook | Twitter As of Friday, there were 17,107 known cases of the coronavirus in Adams County, public health officials said. Hospitalization rates are steadily increasing, with a hospital admission rate of 2.4 out of 100,000 per week as of Friday — four times higher than in early September and the highest rate for Adams County since early April. Denver also announced a 'Home by 10' public health order Friday. Adams County released the following rules under the new order: Spectators are prohibited at all sporting events including Colorado High School Activities Association sanctioned sporting events.A nighttime curfew is imposed in all public places within Adams County, including streets and public rights-of-way, from 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. the following day.During the hours of curfew, any business that is not a Critical Business, as defined in Public Health Order 20-36, must be closed to the public. Employees and individuals providing goods or services to the business are not considered members of the public for purposes of this Order. Restaurants must be closed to in-person dining but may offer curbside and delivery services.During the hours of curfew, all persons are prohibited from using, standing, sitting, traveling or being present on any public street or in any public place, with the following exceptions:Providing or accessing Necessary Activities as defined in Public Health order 20-36, except that this does not include engaging in outdoor activity; Providing or accessing a Critical Government Function as defined in Public Health Order 20-36;Providing or accessing a Critical Business as defined in Public Health Order 20-36;Engaging in Necessary Travel as defined in Public Health Order 20-36Restaurants must limit party size to six people or less from no more than two households. Restaurants are encouraged to place a time limit on diners in order to maximize table turnover during hours of operation. All alcohol beverage sales, service, and consumption must cease at 10 p.m.As required by Public Health Order 20-36, all Critical Businesses, non-Critical Businesses and Critical Government Functions must adopt work from home or telework policies for any operations that can be done remotely.