Summit County officials will be releasing a new public health order next week to clarify how short-term lodging companies should go about confirming the number of households in one reservation.
Staff at Bagalis in Frisco sets up for limited in-person dining Dec. 21 after it was cleared to reopen under Summit County’s 5 Star Business Certification Program. The two new Summit County commissioners expressed concerns Tuesday, Jan. 12, that public health rules among industries are not equitable.
At Tuesday’s Summit County Board of Health meeting, newly sworn-in Commissioner Tamara Pogue spoke bluntly, saying she knows many people feel public health decisions are “arbitrary and difficult.”
Pogue said she “has confidence” in Public Health Director Amy Wineland, County Manager Scott Vargo and prior commissioners who steered the county’s response to the novel coronavirus pandemic since March. That said, she added, “I really want to fight for balance here.”
Photo by Libby Stanford /estanford@summitdaily.com
Summit County’s move to level orange on the state’s COVID-19 dial means fewer restrictions for short-term lodging businesses, but some in the industry are still struggling to fill reservations.
While the county was in level red, gatherings were limited to one household. In level orange, gatherings are able to include up to two households or 10 people. The change in gathering size impacts short-term lodging facilities as well, allowing more than one household to stay together in the same location.
Still, interest has not increased much since the move to level orange on Monday, Jan. 4, according to Toby Babich, president of the Breckenridge Lodging Association.
Restaurant owners have removed the signs Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect that the ’constitutional compliance’ sign at Bagalis has been taken down since the publishing of this article.
Signs on the doors of Bagalis and Greco’s Pastaria calling the Frisco restaurants “constitutionally compliant” businesses popped up this week, sparking opposition from community members.
However, owners of the two businesses say they are following all public health protocols, as the sign suggests otherwise, and Greco’s has taken it a step further by filing a police report as the sign was put up without the restaurant’s permission and promptly removed.
Wild and Free, an indoor playground, is one of 13 gyms, fitness and recreation centers that have expanded capacity under the state’s 5 Star Business Certification Program.
Summit County opened the state’s 5 Star Business Certification Program to gyms and fitness centers Monday, Dec. 28, allowing expanded capacity. As of Thursday, Dec. 31, 13 centers have received the certification.
The process of certifying fitness centers comes after a major effort to certify more than 130 restaurants across the county in a single weekend. While there are fewer businesses seeking certification in the fitness industry, the expanded capacity that certification allows can make a big difference for local businesses.