Total of Pueblo County residents with COVID-19 up to 120

As the community is set to take the first step to rebuild the economy and get back to some sense of normalcy, health officials in Pueblo and the mayor want residents to know that this would be a slow and coordinated process.

The transition from Gov. Jared Polis’ stay-at-home- order to the new "safer-at-home" recommendation is set to begin Monday, with some businesses allowed to open after more than a month of closing their doors.

Pueblo County on Friday reported the ninth death of a resident related to COVID-19: a 68-year-old woman who was already reported as a probable case.

Also Friday, five new positive COVID-19 cases were announced: a 29-year-old man and four women, ages 23, 56, 60 and 65. It brings the total of Pueblo County residents with COVID-19 to 120.

Polis announced this week that curbside sales from retail businesses and some elective medical and dental procedures can resume Monday, but personal services, such as hair salons, nail salons, dog grooming and tattoo parlors, must remain closed until at least May 1.

Other businesses, such as nightclubs, bars, gyms and spas, must remain closed until further notice.

Polis said he would reassess the opening of restaurants for in-person business sometime in mid-May, but that would depend on data.

Nightclubs, gyms and spas also would remain closed. Large sporting events and other gatherings of more than 10 people, including concerts and theatrical productions, are still prohibited.

People are encouraged to stay at home as much as possible.

"Unfortunately, although the order expires, the COVID-19 virus stays with us," said Pueblo Mayor Nick Gradisar in his weekly public address on YouTube.

The mayor thanked residents for staying home and slowing the spread of the virus.

"While more commercial activity will be permitted, we are not going back to business as usual," Gradisar said.

Gradisar said by lifting the original order, the state and city are taking a calculated risk.

"Scientists have not yet discovered a cure of the virus or a vaccine to prevent it. People will still get sick and unfortunate people we love will die from the virus," the mayor said.

Gradisar urged the community to continue to be vigilant in practicing social distancing and to continue restricting activities, even as safer-at-home orders begin.

"You will be safer at home than out in the community," Gradisar said.

The mayor said city offices open May 4 following strict guidelines, including for staff and visitors to wear masks at City Hall. Everyone riding a city bus is required to wear masks as well.

"You should wear a mask when you leave your home," Gradisar said.

It is important for the community to understand what that means and what Coloradans can do to maintain safeguards, said Randy Evetts, public health director of the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment.

Many of the practices and measures enacted during the stay-at-home order would still be strongly encouraged.

"This has been tough for families and community members while we’ve worked to reduce the spread of the virus in this community by staying at home," Evetts said. "As we move forward, there will be more commercial activity permitted but at this time we are not going back to business as usual."

The Department of Regulatory Agencies issued a statement to licensed personal service business owners that they should not resume operations on May 1 until they have received the governor’s directives and can fully implement them. Personal services employers also are reminded that just because the order is being lifted, businesses must still comply with local health department orders.

Telecommuting would continue for offices through May 4, when they can reopen with 50% of staff working in person with practices such as staggered shifts, social distancing and physical barriers encouraged. Larger companies are recommended to conduct temperature checks on employees. If possible, employees are recommended to continue to telecommute.

Other provisions of the safer-at-home guidelines include no group gatherings of more than 10 people and no in-person instruction at K-12 schools and post-secondary institutions for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year.

The state is not changing the requirements for nursing homes and other senior care facilities. There would continue to be restrictions on visitors.

Evetts said the safer-at-home phase is not a free-for-all or an opportunity to leave the house as much as possible and spread the virus to others.

It’s also not an excuse to not wear a facial covering or begin giving hugs or handshakes, going to the mountains to spend the weekend, conducting unnecessary travel, having parties or get-togethers or playing in pick up sports games, he said.

"The safer-at-home phase is not a return to normal," Polis said Friday. "This is merely transitioning to a more sustainable level of social distancing that we are going to have to maintain for the long haul — likely months.

"This is difficult for everyone, but we are in this together and we will get through it together. The next few weeks are even more important than the last few."

amestas@chieftain.com

Twitter: @mestas3517

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