DENVER — City officials confirmed Monday Denver Mayor Michael Hancock will not extend the city's stay-at-home order for a second time and will allow it to expire after this Friday.
The mayor had extended the original order —which was put in place March 24 — on April 23, leaving the restrictions in place through Friday and leaving it open for the possibility for a second extension. However, conditions have apparently not warranted such a move.
It's not clear what steps will be taken after Friday, but the mayor plans to make an announcement during a press conference Tuesday. The city is under the state's step-down "safer at home" approach after Colorado lifted its order on April 26.
"Extending our stay-at-home order will give us more time to do the things necessary for our community to re-open safely & in stages," Hancock wrote in the April 23 measure. "So, we need a little more time to scale up testing & tracing, & provide our resident & biz w/ the kind of specific guidance they are asking for."
Hancock has already issued an order requiring face masks in certain public settings. Beginning Wednesday, a face covering will be required while inside of, or waiting in line to enter, certain businesses, facilities or locations, such as retail stores, bus stops or health care facilities, the order said.
The city news release said "multiple agencies" will be involved in enforcing the order, with the goal of compliance. Anyone violating the order could face a civil penalty of up to $999, per violation.
