Boulder County levels up to 'severe risk' restrictions

On Friday, Nov. 6, Boulder County was moved to Level Orange, High Risk category. Barely two weeks later, Governor Jared Polis added a new color to the COVID dial and Boulder County was bumped up to Level Red, Severe Risk, which was redefined as somewhere between Level Orange and the new Extreme Risk-Stay at Home shut-down, known as Level Purple.

"The numbers have been going up, so I can't say that I was super surprised," said Pastor Emily Kintzel of Niwot United Methodist Church.

Perhaps the hallmark of the redefined Red Level is that high risk populations are to stay home-as opposed to being "strongly advised" to do so as they were under the Orange Level. Additionally, in-person dining has been halted, and Colorado residents are supposed to limit interaction with individuals outside of their household.

According to Jeff Zayach, the executive director of Boulder County Public Health (BCPH), "New cases are continuing to rise rapidly in Boulder County. This move on the dial is an important step that needed to happen to stop this virus from continuing to overwhelm our communities."

Under redefined Level Red, there are new capacity restrictions in a variety of sectors, including: business, parks and recreation, events, schools and even at the police stations.

Business

**Public Libraries' capacity is reduced to 25 people or fewer at a time

**Indoor worship services are limited to a 50 persons or only 25% capacity, whichever is less

**Indoor dining is closed, while outdoor dining is only allowed for groups of the same household

**Business offices should be at no more than 10% capacity and remote work is strongly encouraged

**Personal services (i.e. hair/nail salons, massage therapists, pet groomers, etc.) can only be at 25% capacity or 25 individuals, whichever is less; the same goes for health care settings

Parks and Recreation

**Indoor gyms require a reservation and can only be at 10% capacity

Events

**Indoor events are closed

**Outdoor events can only be at 25% capacity and must have 6 feet of space between parties

Schools

**PreK-5: in-person is suggested

**Middle school: in-person, hybrid, or remote is suggested

**High school: Hybrid or remote is suggested

Police

**Station lobbies are open for appointment only

Despite these increased restrictions, Niwot businesses seem optimistic. For example, both Trauner and Kintzel identified Niwot's small-town, communal attitude as an asset throughout this pandemic. Similarly, Niwot Business Association President Eric Bergeron said that the NBA and other groups are encouraging businesses to follow county orders while encouraging community members to still shop locally.

"It's our small businesses who are doing things like helping with local projects, like flowers on the streets, and coordinating events the community enjoys coming to," said Bergeson. "The community relies on small businesses, and they rely on the community."

"I have to be mindful of the number of people in the store," said Kathy Trauner, founder of Fly Away Home, when asked about what the new restrictions mean for her. "But I know we don't generally have that kind of traffic. My heart breaks for the restaurants...it's so important to do takeout to help them along. They're the ones really getting hit right now."

BCPH has been careful to remind residents that close contact is "living in the same household or being within 6 feet for a combined total of 15 minutes within a 24-hour period, regardless of whether masks were worn." Additionally, for those taking PCR (nasal swab) test, it can take more than seven days for the virus to be detectable.

Not knowing, definitively, if someone has been exposed or has contracted the virus is concerning for some. "That's the constant with COVID, is the unknown," said Pastor Kintzel.

What is known is that as of Nov. 17, 91 people were hospitalized in Boulder County due to COVID. Additionally, in the last two months (since Oct. 1), 27 residents have died--approximately 13 deaths per month. That's three times more COVID-deaths than those taking place from July-September--nine deaths occurred during this time, approximately 3 deaths per month.

"We already have a mask mandate," said Trauner. "If there's any way to convince everyone how important that is, that would be my first and foremost suggestion... Masks are important, social distancing is important."