State Dial 3.0

As more Coloradans are eligible to get vaccinated and choose to do so, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has released the latest update to Colorado’s COVID-19 dial framework: Dial 3.0. The updated dial public health order went into effect Wednesday, March 24. State officials expect that Dial 3.0 will remain in effect until mid-April, at which point the state plans to retire the dial and implement a new public health order that gives greater control over capacity restrictions to local public health agencies. Dial 3.0 metrics are further simplified and capacity limits are less restrictive. The main changes in Dial 3.0 are listed below or you can read the summary of changes in our online article.

Changes that impact Grand County (as of 3/26/2021):

  • Grand County will remain in Level Yellow restrictions for now.
  • 5 Star (GrandStar) restaurants and gyms in Levels Blue and Yellow may operate at 100% capacity with 6 feet of distance between parties as a way to provide businesses with increased flexibility, while still limiting indoor mass gatherings.
  • There is no longer a state limit on personal gathering sizes. The state will follow the CDC’s guidance on personal gatherings and the CDC’s guidance for fully vaccinated people. People are considered fully vaccinated for COVID-19 ≥2 weeks after receiving the second dose of Pfizer or Moderna, or ≥2 weeks after receiving the single-dose of Johnson & Johnson/Janssen.

Highlights of the CDC’s Personal Gathering Guidance:

  • Avoid crowds, large gatherings, and poorly ventilated indoor spaces
  • Stay at least 6 feet away from others who do not live with you, and increase that distance for high-intensity activities.
  • Host gatherings outdoors, if possible.  Minimize the time you spend in a restaurant or bar.
  • Arrange tables and chairs to allow for social distancing.
  • Minimize handshaking, elbow bumps, and hugs. Instead wave and verbally greet guests.

Fully vaccinated people can:

  • Visit with other fully vaccinated people indoors without wearing masks or physical distancing
  • Visit with unvaccinated people from a single household who are at low risk for severe COVID-19 disease without wearing masks or physical distancing
  • Refrain from quarantine and testing following a known exposure if asymptomatic

For now, fully vaccinated people should continue to:

  • Take precautions in public like wearing a well-fitted mask and physical distancing
  • Wear masks, practice physical distancing, and adhere to other prevention measures when visiting with unvaccinated people who are at increased risk for severe COVID-19 
  • Wear masks and maintain physical distance when visiting with unvaccinated people from multiple households
  • Avoid medium- and large-sized in-person gatherings
  • Get tested if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms
  • Follow guidance issued by individual employers
  • Follow CDC and health department travel requirements and recommendations

Volunteers needed at Vaccination Sites 

Grand County Public Health is in need of both medical and non-medical volunteers to help at COVID vaccination sites through April. Vaccination sites in all areas of the county need help with: entering client data into an online portal and completing onsite registration forms; directing patients and assisting with crowd flow; monitoring patients for adverse events for 15 minutes post-vaccination.

With the help of additional volunteers, Public Health will have the ability to plan weekly outreach clinics in Hot Sulphur Springs, Grand Lake, Granby and Winter Park/Fraser. Volunteers with medical experience will be contacted by Public Health Deputy Director Ellen Parri. Volunteers without medical experience will be contacted by Jen Fanning from Grand County Rural Health Network. To learn more about the specific needs, and to sign up for a time slot, visit: signupgenius.com.