When Colorado Could Ease Coronavirus Social Distancing: Analysis

Colorado may be able to safely ease its new coronavirus social distancing rules in late May, new projections show.

Our state could relax social distancing on May 25 should the spread of COVID-19 continue to abate, analysts from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation say.

"Relaxing social distancing may be possible with containment strategies that include testing, contact tracing, isolation, and limiting gathering size," the analysis reads.

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The institute's director, Dr. Chris Murray, linked declining numbers to the success of social distancing and warned timing the return to work would have to be carefully controlled.

"The challenge – as well as opportunity – is for states to figure out how to reopen the US economy and allow people to get back to work without sacrificing that progress," Murray said in a statement.

"Relaxing social distancing too soon carries great risks of a resurgence of new infections. No one wants to see this vicious cycle repeating itself."

The statewide stay-at-home order is set to end Sunday, and Gov. Jared Polis said he's working with health officials to analyze various strategies for reopening the state that don't involve overwhelming hospitals' intensive care unit beds. Denver's order is set to end April 30.

When the order ends, Coloradans will still be asked to adhere to social distancing rules, stay at home as much as possible and wear masks, the governor said. Colorado seniors will be asked to take extra precautions, and continue to stay away from younger family members.

Despite various projections, it could take "months" before social distancing rules can be relaxed, Polis said.

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