Please find below the latest version of Public Health Order (PHO) 20-35 Safer At Home Dial. Additionally, you will find attached our current press release and information pertaining to our move from Safer at Home Level 1 to Safer at Home Level 2.
In response to recent increases in COVID-19 case rates, test positivity, and hospitalizations, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) notified El Paso County this morning that El Paso County is being required to move to Safer at Home Level 2: Concern in the state’s dial framework.
The impact to our Public Pool industry is as follows: Gyms/fitness centers must reduce their operating capacities to 25% capacity not to exceed 50 people per room.
- The new operating capacity is effective immediately with full implementation expected no later than 5 pm on November 4th, 2020
- All indoor pools are subject to capacity restrictions based on room and not body of water located indoors.
- Those facilities still operating OUTDOOR POOLS may continue to operate at 50% capacity not to exceed 50 people per body of water.
- The use of non-medical cloth face coverings is required when entering and exiting the facility and room. Face coverings may be removed when actively participating in an activity in the water.
As a reminder, the PHO defines a GYM as a building or room used for indoor sports or exercise, such as fitness, dance, exercise or group classes, exercise studios and centers, recreation centers, bowling alleys, pools, and other indoor athletic facilities.
It is also important to note that all GYMS must follow the guidance in Appendix J of PHO 20-35:
- Individuals may participate in personal recreation and operators may operate Gyms, outdoor recreational facilities and activities and Organized Recreational Youth or Adult League Sports at the level described in Section II of this Order for which the county in which they operate is approved, and must follow the requirements included in Section III.C of this Order, as well as all of the requirements of this Appendix. Travel should occur within an individual’s local community or as necessary to access outdoor recreation areas. If travelling outside their community, Coloradans are urged to honor all restrictions in place at their destination and avoid travel to counties or municipalities that issue travel restrictions. Local authorities have the discretion to close recreation as needed.
- Campgrounds. Campgrounds may be open for use. Campground operators must regularly clean and disinfect all common areas, such as bathrooms, in accordance with the CDPHE Cleaning Guidance. Group facilities, pavilions, cabins, and yurts remain closed. Campsites must be a minimum of 6 feet apart, and should only be available by reservation. Campground operators must post signs to remind guests of physical distancing requirements, and limit visitors in campground offices to maintain such distancing.
B. Outdoor recreation activities are permitted as follows:
1. Playgrounds and outdoor recreation facilities, such as tennis and pickleball courts, should clean and disinfect high touch areas frequently.
2. Outdoor swimming pools capacities do not change with the Safer at Home levels; instead, they may operate at 50% capacity not to exceed 50 people in all levels. Frequently touched surfaces, shared objects, and bathrooms should be cleaned and disinfected every hour.
C. Organized Recreational Youth or Adult League Sports
1. Parents may attend youth sports activities but must remain 6 feet apart from non-household members. Spectators are authorized and must follow the Indoor and Outdoor Events requirements. Adjacent fields of play should be distanced to allow for at least 50 feet of distancing between two fields of play and their respective spectator sections.
2. All individuals in public indoor spaces must wear a face covering unless the individual is 10 years of age or younger, cannot medically tolerate a face covering, or is performing one of the enumerated activities in Section II.M of Executive Order D 2020 138 as amended and extended.
3. The sports leagues and teams must establish protocols for:
a. Screening both athletes and spectators for symptoms and COVID-19 exposures to ensure they are symptom-free before they are deemed able to attend or play;
b. Isolation and quarantine for ill or exposed individuals; and
c. Requiring athletes with confirmed or presumed COVID-19 infection to obtain clearance from their health care provider for return to sports participation
4. The sports league must retain records of who played in case later disease outbreak investigations become necessary.
5. The sports league must notify and cooperate with the local public health agency regarding any cases of COVID-19.
D. Gyms
1. Gyms must maintain 6 feet distancing between patrons, discourage the sharing of equipment, and clean and disinfected equipment between uses.
2. All individuals must wear face coverings in Gyms , unless the individual is 10 years of age or younger, cannot medically tolerate a face covering, or is performing one of the enumerated activities in Section II.M of Executive Order D 2020 138 as amended and extended.
E. Competitive Events. Competitive events such as races and endurance events are permitted as long as 6 foot distancing and limitations on group size can be maintained. This includes implementing, including implementation of staggered start times and making efforts to prevent gatherings at starts and finishings, so that no more than 10 people are gathered at a time.
For additional guidance and information please visit the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environments COVID page related to RECREATION.
We urge our community to step up prevention efforts once again to impact El Paso County’s disease transmission and help reduce exponential growth of COVID-19 to protect public health and to support our economy and schools in the safest and most sustainable way possible. We need your help to get us to where we want to be as a county.
Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions.
Kat McGarvy M.S., R.E.H.S
Water Quality Program Manager
El Paso County Public Health
1675 W. Garden of the Gods Rd., Ste. 2044
Colorado Springs, CO 80907
Office: (719) 578-3112
Cell: (719) 337-7832
Fax: (719) 578-3118
www.elpasocountypublichealth.org
For local information about the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), visit El Paso County Public Health's COVID-19 website.