Dial 3.0 released
As more Coloradans are eligible to get vaccinated and choose to do so, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has released the latest update to Colorado’s COVID-19 dial framework: Dial 3.0.
With the change, which was effective Wednesday, March 24, Phillips County has moved to Level Green: Protect Our Neighbors, the least restrictive level on the dial. There is no longer a certification process for this level, and counties will be moved to Level Green once they maintain the appropriate metrics for at least one week.
Most restrictions in Level Green are now removed. Bars and indoor events must still adhere to a 50% capacity limit or a 500-person cap, whichever is fewer.
Outdoor events in Levels Green and Blue no longer have state-level capacity restrictions under the dial. Counties may choose to implement capacity restrictions on outdoor events at the local level.
State officials expect that Dial 3.0 will remain in effect until mid-April, at which point the state plans to retire it and implement a new public health order that gives greater control over capacity restrictions to local public health agencies.
The updated dial does not change Colorado’s current statewide mask mandate. Separate from the dial changes, the current mask executive order expires April 3, and at that time the governor may choose to make modifications.
The state released modified mask order components as part of the Dial 3.0 stakeholder engagement process. Feedback received as part of that process will be considered prior to April 3.
“Coloradans have made great sacrifices to protect ourselves and our communities from COVID-19 over the past year,” said CDPHE executive director Jill Hunsaker Ryan. “While this is still a time for caution, these changes to the dial better reflect where we are in the pandemic today and the balance we are trying to strike between disease suppression and economic hardship.”
Other changes in Dial 3.0 include:
— Changed metrics for Level Green: Protect Our Neighbors, which make it easier for counties to achieve Protect Our Neighbors status. Now, counties qualify for Protect Our Neighbors if they have up to 35 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people — up from 15 cases.
— The metrics range for Level Blue is now 36-100 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people.
— Bars can now open under Level Blue. The capacity limit is 25% capacity or 75 people, whichever is fewer.
— Retail, offices and noncritical manufacturing in Level Blue may now open to 75% capacity, up from 50%.
— There is no longer a state limit on personal gathering sizes. The state will follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance on personal gatherings. The CDC still strongly recommends avoiding larger gatherings and crowds to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
— 5 Star restaurants and gyms in levels Blue and Yellow may operate at 100% capacity with 6 feet of distance between parties as a way to provide businesses with increased flexibility while still limiting indoor mass gatherings. The state expects that maintaining a 6-foot distancing requirement will be a limiting factor for most indoor spaces.
— 5 Star certified seated and unseated indoor events may operate at 50% capacity with a 500-person limit in Level Blue. 5 Star seated indoor events in Level Yellow may operate at 50% capacity with a 225-person limit, and unseated indoor events in Level Yellow may operate at 50% capacity with a 175-person limit.
Continue to stay up to date by visiting covid19.colorado.gov.