Although things update and change on an almost constant basis, Real Estate professionals are now allowed to show SOME properties in SOME areas.
Safer-at-Home Recommendations: Start April 27 in Colorado
As the statewide curve of COVID-19 related hospitalizations continues to flatten, Colorado's stay-at-home order is set to expire Sunday, April 26. But that doesn't mean that Monday, April 27, we'll be able to get back to the same way that we were living our lives in January or February.
Instead, Gov. Polis announced a slow roll on Monday.
Colorado will move from a 'Stay-at-Home Order' to a 'Safer-at-Home' phase that keeps many of the same recommendations — like wearing a mask when you go out — but adds more clarity to what a gradual reopening looks like.
Gov. Polis outlines on April 20, 2020 what Colorado's reopening looks like based on three levels. On April 27, level 2, or 'Safer at Home' begins. (Andrew Kenney/CPR News)
The state will move into a "phase of individual responsibility, and phase of sustainability," Gov. Polis said, that includes maintaining social distancing and while the state pursues more aggressive testing, case detection and containment.
And while many small businesses and personal services (haircuts, for instance) will be allowed to soon reopen, they'll be under strict health restrictions and must follow certain guidelines soon-to-be provided by the state.
What About Testing?
Why Colorado Can't Get Enough Tests — And Why It Will Start To Reopen Anyway
For instance, while a hair salon or a barbershop can open on April 27, it will still need to follow the state's physical distancing guidelines of 10 or fewer people, six-feet-apart.
And just because a business is allowed to open on a certain date doesn't mean it will. "Some might feel there's not enough customers, or they don't want to put themselves at risk," Polis said.
Important dates to know:
April 27
Retail businesses can open for curbside pickup and delivery if they choose to
Elective surgeries can continue
Medical and dental offices can reopen under strict social distancing precautions
Personal services (salons, dog grooming, personal training, tattoo parlors) can reopen under strict social distancing precautions
In-person real estate showings can begin, no open houses
May 1
Under strict precautions, retail businesses can open to the public beyond curbside pickup and delivery
May 4
Large workplaces at 50% of the in-person workforce, with symptoms and temperature checks as employees enter
Mid-May
Gov. Polis doesn't have a set date, but said his goal for phased restaurant, bar and club reopening, under strict social distancing measures is "Mid-May," and that "we will make adjustments in real-time based on the data and modeling."
As for sporting events, Gov. Polis said Colorado will remain consistent with the time frames set by leagues. "Whether it's reduced capacity at stadiums or empty stadiums, we are all exploring that," Polis said.
While the 'Safer-at-home' phase includes remote learning continuing for all K-12 and higher education in the state through the end of the school year, Polis did not comment on what may happen with summer camps.
He also didn't indicate whether or not state parks and camping grounds would reopen.
Stay-At-Home vs. Safer-At-Home
Statewide stay-at-home order (ends April 26)Safer-at-home (phased reopening, begins April 27)
General population Ordered to stay at home, except when absolutely necessaryEncouraged to stay at home, except when absolutely necessary
Gathering sNo gatherings over 10 peopleNo gatherings over 10 people
Face masks in public Strongly advisedStrongly advised
Vulnerable populations and seniors Stay at home, except when absolutely necessaryStay at home, except when absolutely necessary
Critical businesses Open, with strict precautionsOpen, with strict social distancing precautions
Nursing homes Strict precautions and protectionsStrict precautions and protections
Retail Only critical retail openOpen for curbside pick-up and delivery, gradually opening for in-person shopping with strict social distancing precautions
Workplaces Reduce in-person workforce by 50%, maximize telecommutingReduce in-person workforce by 50%, maximize telecommuting, large workplaces encouraged to have symptoms and temperature checks
K-12 and higher education Closed for in-person learningClosed for in-person learning
Personal services (salons, tattoo parlors, dog grooming, personal training) ClosedOpen, with strict social distancing precautions
Real estate showings Virtual showings onlyIn-person showings can begin, but no open houses
Sheltering from severe weather during COVID-19 pandemic
Sheltering from severe weather during COVID-19 pandemic
The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) and the National Weather Service (NWS) are offering guidance for how to take shelter from severe weather during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The need to practice social distancing and prevent the spread of COVID-19 brings added complications to taking shelter from severe weather.
However, state and federal officials agree that your top priority should be to protect yourself from a potential tornado.
Officials recommend sheltering from tornadoes inside your home when possible.
According to the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, if you don’t have a below-ground storm shelter, well-constructed homes and buildings provide life-saving protection from 98 percent of Oklahoma’s tornadoes. Take shelter in a closet, bathroom, interior hallway or other interior room with no windows on the lowest level of the house or building.
If your family typically takes shelter in a public storm shelter in your community, first check with your community shelter managers to ensure the shelter will still be open and if there are any special considerations to plan for due to COVID-19.
Now is the time to explore your family’s best options on how to keep everyone safe from severe weather, as well as limit your exposure to the virus. Don’t wait until a tornado warning is issued to make a plan.
Wherever you choose to shelter from a tornado, take as many precautions as possible to inhibit the spread of COVID-19 as best as you can, including Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations to wear a cloth face covering and maintain social distancing.
The best way to prepare for severe weather during a pandemic is to stay informed of the latest weather forecast from the 4Warn Storm Team and NWS as well as the latest recommendations regarding COVID-19 from the CDC, the Oklahoma State Department of Health, and local authorities.