Boulder County residents ages 2 years and older and regardless of vaccination status will be required to wear masks in public indoor spaces and offices starting at 5 p.m. today.
Boulder County’ Board of Health unanimously approved the new public health order in a move to stem the surge of the highly Delta variant of the virus, according to a news release from Boulder County Public Health. The Delta variant is nearly twice as contagious as previous variations of the COVID-19 virus, the news release states.
The order also aligns Boulder County to guidance set by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention that recommends a mask mandate for counties with substantial or high transmission, the news release states.
CDC’s Data Tracker defines four levels of transmission: low, moderate, substantial and high. Boulder County is currently in high transmission, the news release said.
Masks will be required in all indoor public spaces including but not limited to public transportation, private and public offices, retail stores, restaurants, bars, event centers, gyms, recreation centers, and manufacturing facilities.
The order does not apply to private homes, however, Boulder County Public Health recommends wearing a mask whenever around individuals from a different household, particularly when at least one person is not vaccinated.
The order includes a provision for a Voluntary Vaccination Passport program for businesses, the news release states.
The order “allows, with Boulder County Public Health approval, an exception for indoor public masking for employers, owners and operators who have voluntarily implemented proof of vaccination requirements for all employees, staff, visitors, and patrons entering their facility…” the news release said.
Business and event owners and operators who have already implemented a proof of vaccination policy for visitors and employees should contact [email protected] for more information on obtaining approval for a masking exception, the news release states.
The county will also release more information on the Voluntary Vaccination Passport program and open the applications process in the coming weeks, and owners and operators of facilities and indoor public spaces who wish to apply for this program should go to ttps://www.bouldercounty.org/families/disease/covid-19-information/fullyvaccinatedfacilities/ for more information.
Boulder County Public Health also recommends that businesses and facilities move activities outdoors whenever possible, or increase ventilation by opening windows and doors, running the HVAC, or installing portable air filters The new order does not contain any outdoor mask requirements, the news release states.
Boulder County’s transmission status, including if masks are currently required, is posted on Boulder County Public Health’s status page.
