3 counties near Denver mandating masks

Three Colorado counties near Denver are implementing mask mandates due to the rise of COVID-19 hospitalizations in the state, The Associated Press reported.

The health boards of Adams and Arapahoe county voted Monday to bring back mask mandates for indoor public spaces.

The mandate, which will take effect Wednesday, will remain in place until at least 10 percent of ICU beds in both counties are available for use, according to the AP. 

As of Monday, 5.8 percent of ICU beds are available, according to the AP, citing the counties’ public health order.

Jefferson County’s mandate, which was approved by the board Monday, will take effect Wednesday as well. 

Jefferson County’s mandate will remain in effect as long as virus transmission remains high in the area based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s transmission tracker. 

This comes as children under the age of 2 will not be required to wear masks and local businesses can seek exemptions if they already require employees to be vaccinated against the virus, according to the Jefferson County mandate. 

According to the Denver Post, neighboring counties including Boulder, Pitkin and Larimer have already implemented COVID-19 mask mandates.