Yuma is now part of the Yuma County variance to Safer at Home orders, following action taken by the Yuma City Council, Wednesday afternoon.
The council held a brief special meeting, voting 6-0 to rescind the resolution it passed earlier in May stating the city was sticking with the state’s Safer at Home orders, rather than go with Yuma County’s plan. The meeting again was held remotely, utilizing Zoom.
Wednesday’s action meant Yuma now is part of the local variance.
A task force spent all month formulating and trying to get the Yuma County variance approved by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. It was adjusted and resubmitted at least twice before finally being approved last Friday evening.
Governor Jared Polis then announced restaurants and some other businesses would be allowed to reopen to in-person service.
Yuma County Commissioner Robin Wiley, a member of the county’s task force, provided some input during Wednesday’s meeting. He stressed that the CDPHE will revoke the Yuma County variance if the county has 10 new cases over a 7-day period, so businesses need to be aware of the possibility of having to close down shortly after reopening.
Restaurants, however, still would be covered for in-person service under the state’s new order. Council members also had a lot of questions about bars being able to reopen if they somehow served food, which they can. There also was talk about movie theaters.
Businesses still need to adhere to social distancing and mask wearing provisions, as well as other requirements, in order to be open.
