COVID-19 Prevention
Broomfield Public Health Issues Indoor Mask Requirement for those ages 2-11 in schools and licensed childcare facilities effective Monday, Aug. 16.
What Does This Mean in Broomfield:
- Masks are required indoors for anyone age 2-11 in schools and licensed childcare facilities.
- Masks are recommended, but not required, for adults in schools and licensed childcare facilities.
- Masks are recommended, but not required, for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals in indoor public settings.
Why Are Masks Required in Schools and Licensed Childcare Facilities?
- Youth under the age of 12 are not yet eligible for vaccination. Masking is one of the best ways to curb transmission and protect the unvaccinated.
- Requiring masks in schools and licensed childcare facilities will help limit quarantines and outbreaks that disrupt in-person learning.
- The medical community supports masking as a way to protect children who are unable to be vaccinated; the CDC and the Colorado chapter of the American Association of Pediatrics recommend masking in schools.
- Over 98% of COVID-19 cases currently in Colorado are due to the Delta variant, which is highly infectious and especially concerning for those who are not vaccinated, including youth.
View more FAQs about PHO 2021-03 and masks in schools and child cares here.
While the community had hoped the new school year would start without the requirement of masks, this is a necessary mitigation strategy to protect youth until they can be vaccinated. If you are eligible to get a vaccine, please do your part and get vaccinated! View Public Health Order 2021-03.
Statewide Order for High-Risk Settings
Broomfield will continue to follow the updated Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Fifth Amended Public Health Order 20-38. This order is in effect September 1 through October 1, 2021, unless extended.
The order states:
- Individuals who are not fully vaccinated must wear face coverings in these settings: homeless shelters, prisons, jails, community corrections programs and facilities, and health care settings. Individuals who are not fully vaccinated must also wear masks in long term care facilities under a separate Public Health Order, 20-20.
- Staff who work in the aforementioned sectors who are not fully vaccinated are encouraged to engage in routine testing for COVID-19.
- Reiterates that schools must report cases and outbreaks and comply with local and/or state public health requirements, as applicable, for case investigation and disease mitigation, including isolation and quarantine.
What this means in Broomfield:
- If you have not been vaccinated yet, get your vaccine! Visit Broomfield.org/COVIDVaccine to see all the convenient ways to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
- It is recommended, but not required, for those who have not been fully vaccinated continue to wear a mask in public as a way to prevent contracting and spreading COVID-19.
- Businesses may still require both vaccinated and unvaccinated community members to wear a mask. Please respect local businesses and their requests for patrons to wear masks.
View current Public Health Orders at covid19.colorado.gov/public-health-executive-orders.
What are COVID-19 symptoms?
| Symptoms can appear 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus. Consider getting tested if you have any of the following: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fever of 100.4 degrees or higher | Fatigue | Diarrhea |
| Body Aches | Shortness of Breath | Headaches |
| Chills | Loss of Taste or Smell | Cough |
| Congestion or Runny Nose | Sore Throat | Nausea/Vomiting/Loss of Appetite |
When should I quarantine?
Quarantine occurs BEFORE a person becomes sick or tests positive. Quarantine (see below) if you have been in close contact (within 6 feet of someone for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period) with someone who has COVID-19, unless you have been fully vaccinated.
Most people who are fully vaccinated are NOT required to quarantine after contact with someone who had COVID-19, unless they have symptoms. However, fully vaccinated people should get tested 3 to 5 days after their exposure (even if they don’t have symptoms) and wear a mask indoors in public settings for 14 days following exposure or until their test result is negative.
| Length | Is testing required? | Who should use this option? |
|---|---|---|
| 14 Day Quarantine | No | People who are not vaccinated and have regular close contact with high risk individuals. This includes people who live or work in residential or congregate living facilities such as long term care or correctional facilities. |
| 10 Day Quarantine | No | This quarantine period is appropriate for most people who are not vaccinated and who do not have contact with high risk individuals. |
| 7 Day Quarantine | Yes | People who are not vaccinated do not have contact with high risk individuals and have a negative test collected 48 hours before quarantine is discontinued (on day 5 or later). |
When should I isolate?
Isolation occurs AFTER a person becomes sick or tests positive, regardless of vaccination status.
A person with COVID-19 is required to stay home, not go to work, and avoid other people, staying isolated in their own bedroom and using their own bathroom as much as possible.
| Length | Who should use this option? |
|---|---|
| Minimum 10 Day Isolation | People who have symptoms of COVID-19, or have tested positive for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status. Isolation starts after the first day of symptoms or the date of a positive test if you do not have symptoms. A person in isolation is required to stay home, not go to work, and avoid other people. Staying isolated in their own bedroom and using their own bathroom as much as possible is the safest way to isolate. Isolation ends 10 days after symptoms start, AND after 24 hours of no fever, AND after improving symptoms. |
If You Must Travel During the Pandemic
COVID-19 doesn’t take a vacation. Travel can increase your chances of getting and spreading COVID-19. The CDC recommends delaying travel until you are fully vaccinated. Review the local regulations and pre-travel requirements (negative test for entry, complete vaccination) before traveling.