Governor Jared Polis issued a statewide stay at home order in Colorado as an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
The directive is effective on Thursday at 6 AM and runs through April 11.
“All we’re asking is for you to stay at home for as much as possible for the next couple of weeks to buy us the time that we need,” Polis said at a news conference.
“It’s not too late to act now to stay home to save lives,” he said.
The announcement of the stay at home order in Colorado took place days after Polis explained that a directive like that was both inapplicable and not appropriate for the state. On Sunday, he released a “guidance” telling Coloradans not to leave their houses unless they have essential activities, such as getting food, exercise, or seeking medical care.
Pressure from fellow Democrats reportedly urged Polis to make a forceful decision and announce a stay at home directive. The same order has been done in states like New York, Minnesota, Michigan, and Los Angeles.
Denver Mayor Michael Hancock ordered a stay at home policy for his city. This was followed by the rest of the Denver metro area, such as Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Douglas, Larimer and Jefferson counties.
Piktin, Gunnison San Miguel and La Plata counties also implemented stay at home orders.
“I think a statewide order could have been and would still be an advantage in terms of working together clearly, effectively and protectively as health care resources,” Dr. John Douglas, executive director of Tri-County Health Department, which covers Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas counties, told reporters.
“We’re issuing the stay-at-home order to save lives,” Polis said.
“…We have real data that of the measures that we’ve taken — with regard to closing bars and closing restaurants, with regard to closing salons and now with regard to the 50% reduction in the workforce — has had a positive effect on increasing social distancing and decreasing social interactions. However, it has not had (the) sufficient effect that is needed to reduce the spread of the virus such that we have the time that we need," he added.
