Spring break ski trips seemed a good choice for a mid-winter vacation a few weeks ago, as initial reports of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the United States were mostly isolated to recent visitors to China and cruise ship passengers. Then, an outbreak was reported in Colorado ski country. Now, as of March 15, Colorado Governor Jared Polis issued an executive order temporarily closing Colorado ski resorts in Colorado to limit the spread of the virus. Many are expected open again March 22.
Gabi Johnston with the Office of Communications at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Agency on Sunday issued a Covid-19 update for those who have traveled recently to some of Colorado’s ski resorts. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment echoed the advisory shortly after for people from Kansas returning from Colorado ski areas.
“Anyone who has been in Eagle, Summit, Pitkin, or Gunnison counties in the past week should minimize all contact with other people, whether or not they are experiencing symptoms,” Johnston stated.
Ski resorts in these counties include but are not limited to: Breckenridge, Keystone, Loveland, Vail, Araphahoe Basin, Deer Valley, Snow Mass, Aspen Mountain, Beaver Creek, Copper Mountain, Crested Butte and Monarch Ski Area,
The general guidance from CDPHE is as follows:
• If you live in Colorado and are leaving one of these communities, you should minimize contact with other people for 14 days and watch for the development of symptoms like cough, fever, and shortness of breath.
• If you are visiting Colorado from out of state and do not currently have symptoms (cough, fever, and shortness of breath), you can return home and practice social distancing there.
• If you have symptoms, stay where you are, isolate yourself from others, and call a health care provider or nurse line before seeking care. Do not fly. Do not use public transportation or ride-shares.
