Variance Request Submitted

ATTACHMENT A: LARIMER COUNTY VARIANCE REQUEST

May 15, 2020

I. Suppression Plan

Larimer County understands the importance of ensuring the health and safety of our community members. Much of this variance request provides provisions for how Larimer County intends to meet the intent of the Safer at Home Order by using innovation and flexibility and by working with our business community as a partner in this effort.

II. Variance Requests

The following guidance outlines requirements and recommendations per sector. This guidance seeks to help provide relief to our local economy and business community, while still ensuring that we meet the intent of PHO 20-28. Larimer County encourages creative solutions developed by our local community and will develop a system in which to capture these best practices as they are identified. Any sector/business that is not identified below is being asked to submit a written plan outlining how the sector/business intends to open while still meeting the intent and requirements as defined in PHO 20-28.

Variance Request #1 - Public Gatherings

PHO 20-28 Section I. C.

Allow public gatherings of no more than 10 people unless the square footage of the facility and/or space allows for 6 foot distancing of all participants. If the event organizer and/or facility can demonstrate compliance via a written plan with provisions below, gatherings may be approved not to exceed 50 people.

Detailed plans on the space or area used for the gathering or event and controls that will be implemented to maintain 6 feet distancing requirements;
Face coverings must be required and plans should outline how the requirement will be communicated to participants and enforced during the event;
The plan must include methods used to register attendees so that contact tracing may occur if necessary;
Susceptible populations will be strongly recommended to refrain from participating in any public gathering during the Safer at Home phase;
Gathering size will be re-evaluated on June 30 to determine when larger gatherings will be able to resume.

Variance Request #2
PHO 20-28 Appendix A, Section III

Retailers in indoor malls with a separate exterior entrance may operate per the requirements for non-critical retail in Appendix A, Section II. Retailers with no exterior entrance may open provided mall management submits a plan to Larimer County Health Department to address the following criteria;

Increased cleaning and disinfecting of all high-touch surfaces and restrooms, and posting signs to ensure physical/social distancing in restrooms.
Removal or blocking off of any portions of the mall that encourage group gatherings. Seating areas, play areas, etc., in common areas must be removed or blocked off to prevent gathering in these areas.
Not allowing on-premise consumption of food and beverages, blocking off or removing of tables and chairs from the food court. Food vendors may offer takeout only.
Symptom screening upon arrival to work, and face mask requirements for employees. Depending on the business sector (retail, personal services, etc.) all guidelines for that business type must be followed.
Posting signs throughout the mall on requirements for physical/social distancing.
Putting queue markers at store entrances and tape or other physical/social distancing markers on the floors in mall common areas, inside stores, and on sidewalks outside public entrances.
Ensuring that retailers inside the mall maintain 50% capacity and physical/social distancing between customers and employees.
Having mall staff or security officers monitor the flow of pedestrians in common areas and ask groups that might gather in those areas to disperse.
Making disinfectant wipes available near shopping carts and baskets, or assigning employees to regularly disinfect carts and baskets. Making hand sanitizer available at entrances and high-traffic areas.

Variance #3 – Specific Variances by Sector: Personal Services
PHO 20-28 Appendix D, Section I.A.1

Salons, Spas, and other similar personal services must continue to operate with occupancy restrictions intended to provide adequate physical/social distancing. Those resuming operation with an occupancy above the limit of 10 (clients plus employees) must submit a plan to Larimer County Health Department to demonstrate compliance with the following criteria;

Capacity for the establishment will be limited to thirty percent (30%) of the maximum occupancy allowed, so long as 6 foot distancing requirements can be maintained between client/employee pairs.
Use of physical dividers, separate entrances and exits, or other methods that can partition spaces without causing increased risk for emergency exiting must be used to separate individual workstations.
Clients must be instructed to wear face coverings when entering the establishment and at all times except when a face covering inhibits the ability to provide the service.
Cleaning supplies for high contact surfaces provided at each workstation.
Employees must be available to monitor the number of people in the facility, screen clients upon entry for COVID-19 symptoms, and to clean and disinfect all equipment between clients. Client appointment logs must be maintained to assist in contact tracing if necessary.
Employees who are symptomatic must be excluded from the workplace and required to isolate for 10 days. They should be encouraged to get tested for COVID-19 either through a local provider or Larimer County’s community wide testing.

Variance #4 – Specific Variances by Sector: Restaurants, Bars, Wineries, Tasting Rooms, Distilleries, Breweries

PHO 20-28 Section II Business Requirements

Restaurants, breweries, and other food service establishments may, and are encouraged to, continue with take-out and curbside food and alcohol services per PHO 20-28 and the Safer at Home Phase. Larimer County believes these establishments may open for limited in person service with restrictions. Those resuming operation for in person service must demonstrate compliance with the following criteria;

Capacity for the establishment will be limited to thirty percent (30%) of the maximum occupancy allowed. The establishment may be granted an allowance of up to 60% of maximum occupancy so long as the additional seating is provided in an outdoor, unenclosed space. For example, if municipalities agree to allow closure of road ways to accommodate expanded outdoor dining. All seating must maintain 6 feet of distancing between individual tables.
Bar seating shall remain closed. Establishments without individual table seating for groups will not be permitted to operate for in person service.
Customers must be instructed to wear face coverings when entering the establishment until being seated, and if moving from their table to other areas of the establishment.
Buffets shall have an employee serving the food, no self-serving allowed.
Reservations must be made online or via phone. Customers will be instructed that they will be contacted when their table is ready, no waiting in the lobby or at the front door will be permitted.
Implement or maintain physical methods when possible.
Customers must be asked whether they have symptoms of COVID-19 prior to entering the establishment and any customers reporting symptoms excluded.
Employees who are symptomatic must be excluded from the workplace and required to isolate for 10 days. They should be encouraged to get tested for COVID-19 either through a local provider or Larimer County’s community wide testing.

Variance #5 – Specific Variances by Sector: Recreation

PHO 20-28 Section III A. 3.

General Recreation
Recreation programs and/or facilities that believe they can operate safely under the current guidance can submit a plan to Larimer County Health Department that shows their ability to meet:

Strict social distancing criteria of 6 feet or more.
Operate at 50% capacity or less.
Limit gathering size to the current local limitation.
Increased cleaning and disinfecting of all high-touch surfaces and restrooms, and posting signs to ensure physical/social distancing in restrooms.
Removal or blocking off of any areas that encourage group gatherings. Seating areas, playgrounds, etc., in common areas must be removed or blocked off to prevent gathering in these areas.
Not allowing on-premise consumption of food and beverages.
Symptom screening upon arrival to work, and face mask requirements for employees. Depending on the business sector all guidelines for that business type must be followed.
Posting signs throughout on requirements for physical/social distancing.
Employees who are symptomatic must be excluded from the workplace and required to isolate for 10 days. They should be encouraged to get tested for COVID-19 either through a local provider or Larimer County’s community wide testing.

Camping

Confirm the area you are intending to camp is open prior to planning a trip. Many agencies have not yet opened areas or campsites.
Camping should be limited to one household per campsite.
No group camping (camping with multiple households all in the same general area) allowed, in individual campsites or group campsites.
Perform frequent cleaning and disinfection of bathrooms and high-touch surfaces
Camp only with members of your household in your local region. Do not invite visitors to your campsite.
Use personal equipment for camping equipment (no rentals or “loaned” items).
Secure food, water, gas, and any other needed camping supplies in your home community. You should not go to a host community grocery store, restaurant, supply store, or gas station except for emergency situations.
Be prepared and plan ahead for extremely limited facilities, as many will be closed or reduced access. You must pack out your trash and waste.
Do not camp if you or anyone in your household has any symptoms such as fever, coughing, or shortness of breath.

Variance #6 – Specific Variances by Sector: Education

PHO 20-28

Larimer County would like to allow school districts to apply for a Graduation Waiver for review by the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment. The plans for graduation ceremonies must include how the following precautions will be addressed:

Physical Distancing - Strategies to maintain a minimum of 6 feet physical distancing must be used throughout the ceremony. Options include doing “drive-in” style ceremonies, streaming presentations and speakers, calling small groups of less than 10 graduates at a time to the presentation stage, etc.
Guests of Graduates - Family and friends of graduates in attendance in person need to be limited in order to maintain physical distancing requirements and overall event size. Members of the same household as the graduate may attend as a group. Extended family members or other guests outside of the household must adhere to physical distancing requirements.
Delivery of Diplomas - Deliver diplomas to graduates after the ceremony via mail, or have graduates collect diplomas from the stage individually rather than being handed out by administration.

Variance #7 – Specific Variances by Sector: Child Care

Child cares can operate with the following precautions:

Perform frequent environmental cleaning and disinfection (concentrate on high touch surfaces like playgrounds, toys, tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, sinks, etc.)
All employees shall wear a non-medical cloth face covering over the nose and mouth while working with children.
Maintain at least six feet distance from coworkers.
Implement physical distance protocols in common areas (separate tables and chairs by at least six feet).
Symptomatic children should be excluded from care.
To the extent possible, limit the sharing of utensils, toys, and classroom materials
To the extent possible, limit shared spaces to one classroom at the time (e.g. playgrounds).

Day Camps:

Outdoor or mobile based day camps for school-aged children may operate with the following guidelines;

All current guidance in the 20-28 orders will apply to day camps. Groups of 10 children plus staff should be maintained and groups of children should stay with the same staff as much as possible;
Transportation of children to sites for activities may occur in groups of 10 or less. Contact surfaces in vehicles, vans, buses, etc must be sanitized after each trip unless used by the same group throughout the day;
Parents will be required to keep children home when showing any symptoms or signs of sickness. Screenings of children will occur each morning before beginning daily activities;
Require face coverings for children participating in camp.
Day camps offering sports based activities must meet the variance requirements for Organized Outdoor Recreation Activities as outlined in that section.
Employees who are symptomatic must be excluded from the workplace and required to isolate for 10 days. They should be encouraged to get tested for COVID-19 either through a local provider or Larimer County’s community wide testing.

Variance #8 – Specific Variances by Sector: Places of Worship

PHO 20-28 Appendix F.5

Places of worship are encouraged to continue drive- up or online services as much as possible. For facilities wishing to resume in-person services the following requirements must be met;

Places of worship may allow participants up to fifty percent (50%) of maximum occupancy.
Participants must be asked whether they have COVID-19 symptoms at the door and excluded from the place of worship if symptomatic.
Participants will be required to wear a face covering both when entering and while present in the house of worship.
Employees must be screened for symptoms each day before beginning work.
Employees who are symptomatic must be excluded from the workplace and required to isolate for 10 days. They should be encouraged to get tested for COVID-19 either through a local provider or Larimer County’s community wide testing.
Clean and disinfect bathrooms regularly, particularly high-touch surfaces, and ensure they have hand washing supplies.
Implement procedures to maintain social/physical distancing by placing markings on the floor to maintain at least six feet distance where lines form, creating one-way entry/exit and aisles.

Variance #9 – Specific Variances by Sector: Local and Personal Recreation

PHO 20-28 Sections I.H, II.A.4, II.A.5

To the greatest extent possible, Larimer County continues to urge community members to stay close to home when participating in recreation activities. The careful and cautious reopening of these facilities helps our community to cope with the stress of this global pandemic.

Larimer County requests a variance to the Safer at Home Order for recreation in the following areas:

Section II.A.4 - Gyms

Capacity for the establishment will be limited to thirty percent (30%) of the maximum allowed occupancy unless able to expand outside.
Clients must be instructed to wear face coverings when entering the establishment and at all times except when a face covering inhibits the participants ability to participate in a fitness activity.
In use machines and equipment must be separated by six feet or more. Adjacent equipment closer than 6 feet must be blocked off to prevent use. Cleaning supplies for handles, benches, pins, seats, etc must be available at each machine that will be used.
Staff must be available to monitor the number of people in the facility, screen clients upon entry for COVID-19 symptoms, and to assist with and monitor the cleaning and disinfection of equipment between users.
Group classes in enclosed rooms must be limited to no more than 4 participants plus the instructor unless a written plan demonstrates the businesses ability to expand this capacity given the square footage of the rooms used for classes while maintaining required social distancing.
Saunas and shared spaces must remain closed.
Pools may open for training, team practices, or instructional classes provided six feet of distance can be provided between participants during instruction or training in the pool. Open swim and public use of the pool must remain closed.
Employees who are symptomatic must be excluded from the workplace and required to isolate for 10 days. They should be encouraged to get tested for COVID-19 either through a local provider or Larimer County’s community wide testing.

Section II.A.5 - Theaters

Each group of patrons must be seated together and at least 6 feet from other groups. No groups larger than 6 may be seated together.
Employees must be present in each theater room to ensure that proper physical/social distancing protocol is enforced.
Seats, armrests, handrails, doors, doorknobs, and door handles in each theater must be thoroughly sanitized before and after each showing.
Tape must be applied to floors at ticket counters and concession stands to enforce proper physical/social distance protocol for patrons who are waiting in line.
Restrooms must be cleaned and disinfected regularly, and frequently contacted surfaces must be cleaned no less than once an hour.
Party rooms located at theaters must remain closed.
Play areas, arcade rooms, or other group areas other than the theater rooms must remain closed.
Employees who are symptomatic must be excluded from the workplace and required to isolate for 10 days. They should be encouraged to get tested for COVID-19 either through a local provider or Larimer County’s community wide testing.

Section II.A.5 - Bowling Alleys

Tape must be applied to floors at service counters, cash registers and rental stations to enforce proper physical/social protocol for patrons who are waiting in line.
Use reservation systems to discourage patrons from crowding to wait for a lane during busy periods.
Remove all items from self-service - bowling balls, bowling shoes, and other bowling accessory stations and have workers provide such items to patrons directly.
Allowing groups of 6 people or less per lane.
Staggering use of lanes so that only every other lane is in use to maintain proper physical/social distancing between groups. Each group must be seated at least 6 feet apart.
Require face coverings in the business by both employees and customers.
Score keeping machines, ball returns, tables, seats, and other fixtures at each bowling lane must be thoroughly sanitized before and after each group’s use.
Bowling balls and bowling shoes must be thoroughly sanitized before and after each group.

Play areas, arcade rooms, or other group areas other than the bowling lanes must remain closed.
Employees who are symptomatic must be excluded from the workplace and required to isolate for 10 days. They should be encouraged to get tested for COVID-19 either through a local provider or Larimer County’s community wide testing.

Section I.H - Organized Outdoor Group Activities and Pools

Organized practices for diamond sports (baseball and softball), swim teams, and other non-contact sports are permitted.
Group competition, tournaments, games, meets, etc are not permitted at this time
Pools may open for training, team practices, or instructional classes provided six feet of distance can be provided between participants during instruction or training in the pool. Open swim and public use of the pool must remain closed.
A coach or staff member should ask athletes, as they come into practice, if they feel ill in any way, specifically listing certain symptoms, and send home those athletes reporting feeling ill or experiencing symptoms.
Dugout or locker room use will not be allowed. Players should change and shower (for pool practice) prior to arriving at the facility. Players' items should be lined up at least six feet apart.
Parents must remain in their cars, drop-off participants, or follow all social distancing requirements if observing practice.
Players should use their own equipment; gloves, helmets, and bats. Shared equipment; kickboards, helmets, etc. should not be used.
Coaches are responsible for ensuring social distancing is maintained between players as much as possible. Additional spacing must be provided between participants while playing catch, waiting to swim, no congregating of players while waiting to bat, etc.
Players must bring their own water/beverage to consume during and after practice. No shared drinking fountains or coolers.
Players must bring their own snacks to consume during and after practice. No shared/communal snacks.
Coaches must record participants' in attendance at each practice to aid in contact tracing if necessary.
Team organized practices for contact sports including but not limited to basketball and football, remain suspended.

Section I.H - Other Non-Contact Recreational Activities

Rental of outdoor recreational equipment is permitted if the equipment can be cleaned and sanitized between uses. Kayaks, boats, bicycles, and golf clubs may be rented if procedures are in place to clean and disinfect the item after every use.
Maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet from others, except for members of the same household by limiting capacity or staggering activities such as boat launching, tee times, or other reservation based systems to maintain social distancing between users.

Variance Request #10
Appendix F.2 - Critical Infrastructure

Larimer County understands the need to limit travel during that safer-at-home phase. Seeing that hotels and lodging is open, Larimer County seeks to allow VRBOs to open up for operation with a plan to monitor and follow the new guidance.

Private, short-term vacation-style rentals such as those arranged through an online hosting platform, including but not limited to VRBO or Airbnb, homeowner

rentals, and privately owned residences for rent that are rented for a period of 30 days or fewer are permitted to operate.

Guests should be informed of local restrictions due to COVID-19 prior to arrival; restaurants may only be offering take-out or require reservations, face covering requirements or local closures of recreation facilities.
Owners of short term rental properties must provide visitors access to cleaning supplies, such as disposable wipes, to clean doorknobs, remote controls, and desks before and after each use.
Groups larger than 10, except those all from the same household are not permitted.

Variance Request #11
LIbraries

Libraries must operate at no more than 50% of normal capacity. Staff must be available to monitor entrances and meter customers into the building.
Face coverings must be worn by employees and customers at all times.
Returned materials shall be quarantined separately for 72 hours prior to returning to normal circulation.
Install protective plexiglass shields or barriers at checkout or information counters or other areas where customers and employees must be in close contact.
Provide dedicated hours for people at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
Post signs at entrances notifying customers to STOP if they are sick and ask them not to enter the library.
Tape must be applied to floors at areas where lines form to help provide proper physical /social protocol for patrons who are waiting in line.
Use curbside pickup options as a primary way of distributing materials.
Provide hand sanitizer at all entrances, and increase cleaning frequency of restrooms and high touch surfaces.
Shared equipment (computers, chairs) must be sanitized between uses. Recommend implementing time slot reservations for computer access to allow employees to clean between users.
Group areas must remain closed, no classes or programming is permitted.

Employees who are symptomatic must be excluded from the workplace and required to isolate for 10 days. They should be encouraged to get tested for COVID-19 either through a local provider or Larimer County’s community wide testing.

Variance Request #12
PHO 2020 - Long Term Care Facilities

It has been months of lockdown, no visitors, no social interaction for residents of Long Term Care facilities. Our facilities are beginning to report that residents are suffering from depression and starting to deteriorate in health. We want our Long Term Care facilities to cautiously and thoughtfully find a way to allow their residents to have limited social interactions. They can submit a plan to Larimer County Health Department for approval that needs to consider:

The facility must be COVID-free or be 14 days past any new COVID-19 symptoms.
The dining room would only serve lunch and/or dinner. Residents would continue to eat breakfast in their rooms.
Each resident would have their daily respiratory screen prior to going to the dining room for meals.
The dining room will be set up with designated seating for each resident with 6 feet social distancing.
Residents will wear a mask to and from the dining room.
Residents will practice hand hygiene prior to and after they finish eating.
Staff will wear face coverings and gloves during the meal service and will practice 6 feet social distancing amongst each other.
Activities could resume in a communal setting as long as these activities keep residents at least 6 feet apart from each other.
The dining room or communal room would close to those residents in the unit/area if the facility has a suspected (3 respiratory illnesses in 72 hours) or a positive COVID-19 resident.