Request form required for public events with more than 10 attendees

Anyone in Phillips County planning a public event with more than 10 people in attendance must submit an event request form. The form can be filled out online at https://bit.ly/PC_Event_Request.

A hard copy of the form can be picked up at the administration office on the main floor of the Phillips County Court House. Residents can also call the office at 970-854-3778 to have a form mailed to them.

Because it may take some time to get the event approved, the County asks that event request forms be turned in at least five days prior to the planned event.

If the request is submitted online, an email containing the request will automatically be sent to Phillips County commissioners and administration for review. It will then be forwarded to the Northeast Colorado Health Department for final approval/denial of the event.

Phillips County’s variance from the State’s public health order allows for outdoor gatherings of up to 50 people with masks, a minimum of 6 feet of social distancing, and approval from the Northeast Colorado Health Department. If Phillips County has 10 new COVID-19 cases in a week, the variance, which was approved May 20, will be rescinded.

Yuma County’s variance, which was approved May 22, likewise set 10 cases in a week as its threshold. The county did surpass that limit last week with 30 new positive cases, but having reviewed the specifics with the health department, Yuma County is still allowed its variance.

Yuma County administrator Andrea Calhoon explained that the decision was based on available resources across hospitals and health departments. Since most of the active cases in Yuma County are able to quarantine at home without hospitalization, NCHD does not see a need to rescind the variance.

Decision makers meet at least once a week, though, and if available resources become insufficient, the variance may be revoked in the future.

Also in the NCHD region, Sedgwick County and Logan County have approved variances that meet their specific needs.

Colorado begins ‘Safer at Home and in the Vast, Great Outdoors’

Safer at Home was set to expire June 1, but on that day, Gov. Jared Polis signed an executive order to transition to Safer at Home and in the Vast, Great Outdoors.

“Our state has some of the most beautiful natural open spaces in the world, and we want Coloradans to enjoy our vast, great outdoors. While we are all still safer at home, we are also able to practice greater social distancing in our great outdoors than in confined indoor spaces,” said Polis.

“It may feel like we are getting back to normal, but the virus is still here, and it could surge back the moment we let our guard down. We are still far from normal. Coloradans have to remain diligent, and must continue staying home or in the great outdoors away from others as much as possible, wearing masks when we leave the house, and washing our hands. Over these next few weeks, each and every one of us has a responsibility to protect ourselves and others, especially as we begin venturing out onto our trails and open space.”

Guidance issued in the Safer at Home orders is still in effect unless specifically updated in the new executive order or public health order.

The big change to note is for high-risk populations, those older than 65 or with underlying health conditions. Previously they were required to stay home unless absolutely necessary. Now they are encouraged to enjoy outdoor spaces at a safe social distance.

Updates to personal services, child care effective June 4

As of Thursday, June 4, revised state guidelines for personal services and child care go into effect.

Businesses that offer personal services, including hair salons, barber shops and nail salons, may now have up to 50 people or 50% of their occupancy at one time, whichever is fewer. Child care facilities may operate under their Department of Human Services license occupancy.

State guidelines for places of worship, outdoor industry and personal recreation, including playgrounds and swimming pools, will also go into effect June 4. Details were not set to be finalized until after noon June 3, as the State was soliciting stakeholder feedback.