DENVER– Mayor Michael B. Hancock today announced that Denver will extend the public health order directing residents to stay at home through May 8.

“Our priority is to keep our residents safe and to save lives,” said Mayor Hancock. “This virus is not going away and we need to be prepared for the long-term impacts. With the state’s guidance, and by taking extra time to be thoughtful and deliberate, we want to ensure that we will have adequate contact tracing and testing capability, and the time to provide the guidance that our residents and business community need to re-open safely.”

Extending the Stay at Home order will allow the city to align with regional health authorities and continue to prepare more specific guidance and regulations for businesses and facilities. Opening after May 8 will also allow the city to:

• Identify and cross-train staff to implement COVID-19 case management, including contact tracing and monitoring, complete case investigations and enforce isolation and quarantine orders
• Expand and improve testing with a goal of reaching 1,000 tests per day
• Secure additional and improved personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Increase and enhance communication between the city and businesses regarding guidelines and policies for reopening while maintaining best public health practices
• Provide businesses the opportunity to prepare for reopening with strategies from the Department of Public Health & Environment as well as their own policies

As the city prepares for the re-opening of different sectors, the Denver City Attorney’s Office has activated its response team. If members of the public have questions about the city’s COVID-19 restrictions or resources, please dial 311 or e-mail [email protected].

The City Attorney’s Office response team cannot provide legal advice to the public, but it will be able to offer guidance to the extent that it is able.