Mayor Michael Hancock announced guidelines for businesses and humans during a press conference Tuesday aimed at readying the public for this weekend when Denver's stay-at-home order lifts.
The city's soft opening on Saturday will resemble the state's safer-at-home guidelines, which guide Coloradans to stay home when possible, even with laxer rules.
"We're taking a thoughtful and intentional approach to a phased re-opening of Denver businesses in a manner that limits COVID-19 risks for everyone," Hancock said in a statement. "This does not mean the threat of COVID-19 has passed. These are just the first steps toward recovery along what will be a long journey."
Starting Saturday, Denverites will start to see these types of businesses reopen with physical distancing requirements that limit the number of customers and employees clustered in one place:
- Clothing, home goods and cell phone stores. Half of the employees can work and everyone must maintain six-foot distancing.
- Hair and nail salons, tattoo houses, pet groomers and personal trainers can open with 10 or fewer people inside at once or half of the building's capacity -- whichever is less. Customers must make appointments, no walk-ins allowed, and some personal protective equipment is a must.
- Non-critical offices can open, half-staffed.
- Field services such as in-person real-estate showings
- Post-secondary education
Hancock's order has requirements for all businesses, including:
- Create special hours for vulnerable people when practical.
- Limit the number of on-site customers.
- Provide hand sanitizer and wipes "to the greatest extent possible."
- Use contactless payment solutions when possible.
- Create signs showing health protocols.
You can see your friends live again! If you feel comfortable! If you're not sick! And if you're in groups of 10 people or less!
Public and private gatherings of more than 10 people are banned through May 26.
And starting Wednesday, you'll have to wear a face mask in many situations. Don't expect hardcore enforcement. Hancock is relying heavily on social contracts to see this thing through, he said.
