There is a new public health order for Pueblo County that effectively moves the county mostly into Colorado’s "Safer at Home Level 3." This health order was issued on Friday, October 30, by the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment. It remains in effect throughout November. You can find more about the Colorado COVID-19 levels of concern here: https://covid19.colorado.gov/data/covid-19-dial. The new Pueblo health order is here: https://county.pueblo.org/sites/default/files/2020-10/PDPHE%20PHO%202020-001.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0K52P5Wts3j9X0j8MskWWU4FQM2CcZ39eNC1WAkVvQ3xsI0soOTj1yLMA The City of Pueblo also has issued an emergency curfew between the hours of 10pm and 5am through November 13 to slow the spread of the virus. More information about the City's curfew is here: https://www.pueblo.us/2566/Coronavirus-Disease-2019-COVID-19-Inform
This shift will have minimal impact on library operations at this time due to the thoughtful steps we already have taken to mitigate risk in our libraries. PCCLD libraries can remain open with our limited capacities and restrictions, which are designed to provide a safe environment for all as we continue to fulfil our library mission.
Most of our current protocols comply with the new public health orders. These precautions include, but are not limited to, support for remote services such as curbside materials pickup and the online "Library @ Home," mandated facemasks inside buildings when in the presence of others, frequent cleaning and sanitizing of high-touch surfaces, quarantining returned materials, and limiting public access to buildings to one hour per user with spaces arranged to support social distancing.
The new health order may require two tweaks to current activities within certain departments. First, there may be some employee scheduling changes necessary as a result of the new health order. Your supervisor should be taking this into account now for upcoming department scheduling and s/he will be in touch with you, as required. Second, PCCLD meeting rooms will continue to be closed to groups and there will be no PCCLD onsite programming. There is a single exception to this to allow onsite voting to complete at the Giodone and Pueblo West Libraries through Tuesday, November 3.
PCCLD has been fortunate to date with no onsite COVID-19 outbreaks. It is critical now as local cases are rising for each of us to power-up with our COVID-19 safety practices. Wear your mask over your nose and mouth whenever you are in the presence of others. Frequently wash your hands and sanitize high-touch surfaces. Always maintain at least six feet of social distance. Stay home if you are sick. These activities are more important now than ever before.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to your supervisor or Human Resources should you have questions.
Be healthy,
Jon
Jon Walker
Executive Director
