The move from Eagle County to the yellow portion of the state’s COVID-19 dial now allows up to 100 people to attend performances.
Matt Phillips, special for the newspaper
It took a while, but Eagle County is finally starting one 5-star business certification Business Support Program. But the county’s recent move to yellow-level COVID-19 restrictions may have made the program a little less important.
The 5-Star Program began in Mesa County in 2020. The Colorado state program is similar. The program enables companies to break free from COVID-19 restrictions and essentially allows companies to set the capacity on the state dial to a notch, as long as those companies pass inspections related to hygiene, ventilation and other practices.
At present, participants in the district’s 5-star program must continue to adhere to the yellow level occupancy and other restrictions. Eagle County doesn’t have full state approval yet, but Assistant County Manager Kelley Collier said early Friday afternoon that approval is expected soon.
The permit inspections could begin by the end of the week of February 22nd. Collier described this as part of an effort to help businesses as much as possible while ensuring the safety of guests and customers.
Collier said 5-star companies in Eagle County will be able to move to blue level restrictions once 70% of citizens 70 and over are vaccinated against the COVID virus.
Collier added that certification has “other benefits” including consumer confidence in certified companies.
Early on Friday afternoon, Collier said few local businesses had filed applications. Only one company, a hotel, had submitted a full application with security information.
Several other companies – three hotels, three restaurants, and a summer camp for children – have submitted preliminary information.
District officials haven’t received many calls yet, according to Collier, and a virtual training session on Feb. 16 counted towards providing good initial information. 94 participants representing businesses, local governments and chambers of commerce attended the training.
To be eligible for the 5-star program, more businesses need to adhere to than just public health regulations. And some businesses may not be able to take advantage of the increased capacity because of limited physical space for social distancing or because that space can be properly ventilated.
Alison Wadey, director of the Vail Chamber & Business Association, said she had heard from business owners weighing the pros and cons of applying for the program.
Entrepreneurs are considering whether they should stay at the current yellow level or aim for certification. Companies need to determine whether the five-star variance “would make things easier or more difficult,” said Wadey.
At the Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek, the occupancy increased from 50 to 100 for a performance this week. Ruthie Hamrick, Senior Marketing Manager at Vilar, wrote in an email that the venue will also apply for 5-star certification.
“Seeing live performances with others is really an experience that cannot be had while seeing something virtually,” she wrote.
Increased capacity, whether through the 5-star program or through current public health contracts, will benefit other companies, Wadey said.
The restrictions associated with the yellow level – especially a later final call for bars – come at a good time, Wadey said, especially with the spring break in March.
For more information, visit http://www.eaglecounty.us.
