GOVERNOR POLIS DISCUSSES THE STATE’S RESPONSE AND RECOVERY EFFORTS; ANNOUNCES MORE VACCINE INCENTIVES, PROGRAMS TO KEEP KIDS IN SCHOOL |
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Today, Governor Polis provided an update on the COVID-19 pandemic and the state’s efforts to get more Coloradans vaccinated. Governor Polis also announced additional steps the state is taking to ensure students, faculty, and staff can safely return to school.
“A new school year is quickly approaching and it's critical that our students, teachers, and staff have a safe and enjoyable year in the classroom. Every day, more and more students and adults are getting vaccinated, but until the vaccine is available to everyone 12 and younger, we must continue to be vigilant and protect our youngest Coloradans from this virus,” said Governor Polis. “Vaccines for those who are eligible, along with mask-wearing, regular testing, stay home when sick, effective quarantines and ventilation are key ways to slow and stop the spread of COVID. If you are eligible to get the vaccine, I encourage you not to wait another day, get the lifesaving, free vaccine as soon as you can.”
Governor Polis announced that starting the first week in September Colorado will be providing free, voluntary, rapid COVID-19 testing on a weekly basis to all K-12 schools for the 2021-22 school year. This program builds on the free testing that has been available since January 2021. Last school year, 183 schools opted into the BINAX-at-home program. In addition, in the spring CDPHE distributed bulk Binax tests to schools that had participated in the school mask program. CDPHE sent three monthly shipments of tests -- 467,200 tests to 352 schools in March, 351,040 tests to 218 schools in April, and 109,400 to 171 schools in May.
Throughout this global pandemic, data showed that layered protections like masks, testing, staying home when sick, ventilation upgrades, and more, could help make our schools one of the safest environments for our students. The Polis administration worked to get all Colorado students back in the classrooms as early as January of this year, preventing further learning loss and helping our kids get the education they deserve.
In July, the Polis administration released updated guidance for schools on how to best ensure safety in the classroom this fall, one of the main recommendations being weekly testing as a key component for limiting the spread of the virus.
This program will be available to all public, private, charter, and tribal schools in the state who choose to enroll, and will include testing for both students and staff. Schools interested in the program can sign up at covid19.colorado.gov/free-testing-schools.
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Colorado is also restarting its successful mask delivery program for schools across the state. Adult and child-sized N95 masks will be available along with surgical masks for the start of the 2021-2022 school year. This program builds upon Colorado’s efforts to provide masks to schools during the previous school year. The Colorado Department of Education will reach out to every school in the state to provide information on how to enroll in the program.
Governor Polis also announced that Colorado’s Comeback Cash Card Giveaway has had tremendous success in getting more people vaccinated. The program, which provides Coloradans who get the vaccine at participating sites a $100 Walmart gift card, has produced a 71% vaccination increase at each site where the gift cards are available.
As of today, 73.14% of adult Coloradans are immunized with one dose of the vaccine, and 65.42% of eligible Coloradans are fully vaccinated.
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Offering both Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines, these mobile clinics are for everyone 12 years and older! |
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"POWER THE COMEBACK" BUSINESS PLEDGE |
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From the beginning of this pandemic, we’ve been making decisions based on saving lives and livelihoods. And we know that the good times come back when we all do our part to power the Colorado Comeback for ourselves, our families, businesses, and students by supporting the decision to get vaccinated.
Business owners and employees have been innovative and nimble in the face of this crisis. There are incredible stories of resilience, and that is in no small part due to so many Coloradans getting the vaccine, who can now do the things they love and give our economy a much-needed boost in the process.
That’s why the State is launching a new business tool as part of our "Power the Comeback" campaign, which will encourage businesses to do their part by encouraging employees to get vaccinated and by promoting policies that create COVID-safe workplaces.
Through this "Power the Comeback" campaign, businesses can take the Power the Comeback business pledge.
Here are some of the ways we are asking Colorado businesses to help public-facing workers understand the benefits of getting vaccinated and understand the support their employers can provide:
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Host a vaccine clinic for employees.
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Promote information about the Colorado law that mandates paid time off to get the vaccine and recover from vaccine side effects.
- Provide incentives for employees to get vaccinated (e.g., cash bonuses, additional paid time off, etc.).
- Share information about nearby vaccination clinics with employees and customers.
- Commit to posting ample signage about safe COVID-19 behaviors, mask rules for those who are unvaccinated, employee rights, and quarantining rules if exposed to COVID-19.
- Have a policy in place that encourages any individual aged 12 and older, who is not fully vaccinated, to continue wearing a mask inside your workplace.
A toolkit that includes posters, graphics and other materials for use will be available once your pledge is received.
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WORKPLACE VACCINATION PROGRAM |
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Getting the vaccine should be as easy as showing up for work. The Governor is proud to announce that Colorado is offering a new workplace vaccination program, which will allow employers, unions, and trade associations of any size to provide their workers with more opportunities to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in a familiar and convenient location.
Employers can enroll and request a free, on-site vaccination event by filling out a Google form - there is no workplace too small to get vaccinated!
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All staffing, logistics, and vaccine supplies will be coordinated and provided by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
The State of Colorado has been ahead of the curve in getting our workforce protected against this virus. All regular employees in Colorado receive four hours of paid time off (PTO) to use for vaccine appointments and to recover from vaccine side effects. If you’re a regular employee and find this is not the case in your workplace, call the Department of Labor and Employment’s Division of Labor Standards and Statistics at (303) 318-8441 to ask questions or voice a complaint.
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