Colorado restaurants ordered to close for 30 days to lower COVID-19 risk

Slowing the spread of coronavirus remains a priority for officials on federal, state and local levels as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve.

President Trump announced Monday that public gatherings need to be limited to 10 people for 15 days. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that events consisting of 50 people or more be canceled or postponed through May 10.

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment ordered that all bars, restaurants, theaters, gymnasiums and casinos in Colorado be closed down effective March 17 and continuing for 30 days. They are “closed to ingress, egress, use, and occupancy by members of the public.”

These establishments are encouraged to offer food and beverage using delivery service, window service, walk-up service, drive-through service or drive-up service. Up to five members of the public may be within the establishment at one time for the purpose of picking up their orders, but they should remain at least 6 feet apart from one another.

Restrictions do not apply to grocery stores, markets, convenience stores, pharmacies, drug stores or food pantries.

Within Holyoke, a number of restaurants are working to provide delivery or pickup options.

Local residents should also note that anyone who has been in Eagle, Summit, Pitkin or Gunnison counties since March 8 should minimize all contact with other people, whether or not they are experiencing symptoms. Anyone who thinks they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should call — rather than visit in person — Melissa Memorial Hospital at 970-854-2241 or Family Practice of Holyoke at 970-854-2500. A care plan will be developed to minimize exposure and the potential spread of illness to others.

Shoppers looking to stock up in preparation for a quarantine have essentially cleared the shelves of toilet paper, hand sanitizer and cleaning supplies at Holyoke Marketplace. The store is doing its best to restock such items, but residents are encouraged to shop responsibly. If everyone makes sure to buy just a couple of weeks’ worth of supplies — rather than a couple of months’ worth — there should be plenty to go around.

Jill Fiedler of Holyoke Marketplace reminds folks not to go shopping if they are sick. The store does offer online shopping that can be delivered or picked up outside the store so that people can still get their necessities without spreading illness.

CO HELP is Colorado’s call line for COVID-19. People who have general questions about COVID-19 can call CO HELP at 303-389-1687 or 1-877-462-2911 for answers in many languages. For answers in English, email COHELP@RMPDC.org.

To prevent spread on a

personal level, everyone is reminded to:

— Stay home when sick.

— Wash hands frequently with soap and water.

— Cover coughs and sneezes.

— Avoid close contact with anyone who has cold or flu-like symptoms.

— Practice social distancing and avoid travel.

Anyone who is immunocompromised or over the age of 60 should limit or avoid public events.

Holyoke schools closed through March 29

More and more schools are extending their spring breaks and making plans for virtual teaching should they need to remain closed longer. Some have already made the decision to finish the semester online.

Holyoke schools have extended their spring break an additional week and will remain closed through March 29 with classes resuming Monday, March 30.

The 13 colleges within the Colorado Community College System are taking immediate actions that include limitations on large group gathering and implementation of restrictive travel policies. In the case of Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, spring break has been extended one week. Students in residence halls who are leaving campus for spring break are being urged not to return to campus before Sunday, March 29.

NJC is also working on plans to provide online and distance learning for students to complete their courses in the weeks ahead and potentially through the end of the spring semester.

Phillips County Family Education Services is also on an extended spring break. There will be no ESL classes until March 30.

CHSAA suspends spring sports, activities until April 18

The Colorado High School Activities Association garnered plenty of public attention when it made the unprecedented decision to cancel the state basketball tournaments. Its preventative measures extend well beyond the basketball season, though.

CHSAA announced March 17 that no spring sports, activities, competitions or practices can be held until at least April 18. Coaches may communicate with players via email, phone or social media regarding voluntary self-workouts and updates, per CHSAA guidelines. There may not, however, be any physical contact. That means no open gym, weightlifting, or workouts either off-site or on school grounds with coaches — including volunteers.

CHSAA will recognize individual participants from state basketball with a memento in the coming weeks to honor their leadership and resolve during that week.

Local events canceled

Numerous organizations in Holyoke had events scheduled that will no longer be held as planned.

The Heginbotham Library and Holyoke swimming pool will be closed until further notice, as will the Peerless Theatre and Holyoke Fitness Club. All activities held at Sunset View have been canceled until further notice. That includes cards, strength and balance exercise, and yoga. Meet and Eat meals can be picked up or delivered, but there will be no eating in.

Phillips County Court House and CSU Extension are closed to the public until further notice. Employees will be conducting business as usual and can be contacted by phone. The Clerk’s Office will not be administering any drive tests until April 6. Phillips County jury trials scheduled for March 19, 24 and 26 have been postponed until April 2.

City of Holyoke youth soccer has been postponed until early April, and Platte Valley Soccer Leagues have postponed all games until April 4. Lions Club Bingo is suspended until April 26.

Holyoke School District has canceled all before-school and after-school activities scheduled to take place in its buildings or on school grounds through April 6.

Individual events that will no longer be held as scheduled include:

— Wednesday, March 18: City of Holyoke free swim day canceled. CHS pesticide applicator workshop canceled.

— Friday, March 20: City of Holyoke free movie canceled.

— Saturday, March 21: Haxtun Lions Club’s Chuckwagon  Dinner postponed.

— Sunday, March 22: Paoli Hustlers 4-H Club’s March meeting canceled.

— Tuesday, March 24: Phillips County Arts Council’s Tony DeSare concert canceled. Garden Club meeting canceled. Highline Electric Association is not able to hold its meeting.

— Wednesday, March 25: Phillips County NWS SKYWARN Training postponed.

— Thursday, March 26: FCCLA/FFA service sale postponed. CSU Extension diabetes webinar postponed.

— Tuesday, March 31: Melissa Memorial Hospital’s Men’s Night postponed.