Colorado Governor Jared Polis announced on Monday that outdoor concerts can return to Colorado this week. In his address, Polis stated that the latest developments in the state’s “Safer at Home” rollout plan go into effect on Thursday.
This announcement comes as non-essential businesses begin to reopen in many states around the country. Colorado has seen a steady decline in COVID-19 cases since the beginning of May, and the death toll for people with COVID-19 sits at 1,605 as of June 15th.
The industries reopening in Colorado on June 18th include residential summer camps; certain indoor events (conferences, receptions, museums, houses of worship); certain outdoor events (concerts, fairs, rodeos, receptions); bars, which must operate at 25% capacity or up to 50 people; personal services including facials, beard shaving, lip waxing, etc.; and non-critical manufacturing facilities who will be able to expand their in-person workforce. As for the specific guidelines regarding outdoor concerts, the guidelines are stringent.
Related: AEG Announces Colorado Live Event Cancellations Into July Due To Coronavirus
Outdoor venues over 6,500 square feet are permitted to open at 25% capacity or up to 75 people. Larger outdoor venues over 11,300 square feet will be also be restricted to 25% capacity or under 100 people, whichever is fewer. When compared to the guidelines imposed on indoor events, even those for the largest rooms, it is clear that the Colorado government does not want more than 100 people in the same place (so larger venues like Red Rocks, as pictured above, will remain closed). Governor Polis also emphasized the core of the “Safer at Home” campaign, which is to say that even though people can attend these events, that they are safer at home.
Now to be clear, there is a risk in all activities and some Coloradans will choose not yet to engage in these activities that put them at risk and that is a wise course to take if you’re over 65 or have a pre-existing condition. But there are others that might be adverse to taking that risk of all ages, and we support that and acknowledge that. For those who choose to take that minor risk, we want to make these activities as safe as possible. And that’s why it’s important that people wear masks when they’re in public and stay six feet apart from each other. We cannot yield to this virus, our ongoing vigilance is what will allow us to stay a few steps of the virus in Colorado as we struggle with it nationally and internationally.
As for concert announcements, it will be left up to the individual venues to decide whether or not they choose to take the risks involved with housing concerts, as well as the financial setbacks of operating at reduced capacity. Watch Colorado Governor Polis’s full address, or skip to roughly nine minutes in to when he discusses the reopening of certain industries.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis — “Safer at Home” Developments
[Video: Denver7 – The Denver Channel]
[H/T This Song Is Sick]