People dine outside of Bear Den in Aspen on a warm spring afternoon on Friday, April 9, 2021. (Kelsey Brunner/The Aspen Times)
The Aspen Institute and some restaurant-industry heavyweights have rolled out a set of universal guidelines for both dining establishments and the people who frequent them in the COVID-19 era. the industry standards were put together by the Institute’s Food and Safety Program in collaboration with José Andrés’ World Central Kitchen, the James Beard Foundation, the National Restaurant Association, the Independent Restaurant Coalition, and One Fair Wage.
Safety First includes a Diner Code of Conduct and what’s expected from restaurant patrons while dining indoors, Our Covid Pledge for restaurant owners and operators, and a set of ventilation guidelines for restaurants.
Katelyn Huston, owner of Barre Forte, teaches a class Wednesday, April 7, at the studio in Frisco. Huston is one of many Summit County business owners impacted by the state s decision to move the county back to level orange due to a rise in COVID-19 cases. Level orange requires that gyms and fitness centers operate at 25% capacity.
Jason Connolly / Jason Connolly Photography
Huston, who owns Barre Forte, is one of many local business owners adhering to additional restrictions as of 6 a.m. Wednesday. According to the Colorado Department of Health & Environment website, this means restaurants, gyms, fitness centers and events are limited to 25% capacity or 50 people, whichever is fewer. Personal services including barbershops, salons and tattoo parlors are limited to 25% capacity or 25 people, whichever is fewer. In addition, businesses still have to adhere to the 6-foot distancing rule.
jdejong@summitdaily.com
Summit County will be moved from level yellow to level orange on the state’s COVID-19 dial beginning Wednesday, April 7. The move will decrease capacities at most businesses.
Graphic from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Summit County officials expressed their frustrations in a Board of Health meeting Tuesday that the state would be moving the county backward on the COVID-19 dial.
The move from level yellow to level orange restrictions takes effect at 6 a.m. Wednesday, reducing capacity at most business types to 25%. Businesses in the 5 Star State Certification Program can operate under level yellow restrictions, which generally allow up to 50% capacity with some limits.
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Photo by Liz Copan / Studio Copan
A requirement of the 5 Star State Certification Program is that businesses improve ventilation throughout their facilities using air filters, opening windows and doors to maximize airflow, and more. Though some businesses have taken ventilation improvements a step further.
The Uptown on Main in Frisco and Body Essentials Pilates in Dillon have both installed new technology into their heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems meant to kill pathogens.
The businesses’ new HVAC systems use ultraviolet lights to kill pathogens in the air as they pass through. Ultraviolet lights are often used to disinfect surfaces and air by inactivating bacteria and viruses, but they can typically only be used when a room is clear of people to prevent burns and other injuries associated with direct exposure. Putting UV lights inside the systems means they can work while people are in the building.