With the number of cases of COVID-19 on the rise in Jefferson and Adams County, Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) and Tri-County Health Department (TCHD) have both issued public health orders mandating face coverings in public settings when unable to maintain six foot social distancing.
The city is in both Jefferson County and Adams County, with TCHD providing services to Adams County.
JCPH’s order went into effect on Tuesday, July 14 and TCHD’s order going into effect on Friday, July 24.
THCD’s Board of Health voted to allow elected officials and jurisdictions in three counties (Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas) to determine the use of the mandate requiring face coverings through an opt-out process.
Westminster City Council passed a similar face covering resolution on May 11 requiring all people above age three, who are medically able, to wear one in local businesses or outdoors when social distancing is not possible. This resolution is still in effect.
“As cases have started to increase sharply across the Denver Metro Area and in Jefferson County, we are looking at the tools we have to prevent the surges that are happening in other parts of our country, including bordering states, from happening here,” said JCPH Executive Director Dr. Mark B. Johnson. “While we have always strongly encouraged our residents to wear face coverings, we are joining others in the Denver metro area to take it a step further and make them mandatory.”
“Prevention is the best tool we have in fighting COVID-19 and we have scientific evidence that masks can play an important role in slowing the spread of COVID-19,” said TCHD Executive Director John M. Douglas, Jr., MD.
If you see someone not wearing a face covering, we encourage you to maintain social distance and demonstrate respect for others. There are valid, medical reasons that may prohibit someone from wearing a face covering.