Businesses consider easing mask requirements after State announcement

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Coloradans who are fully vaccinated no longer have to wear masks indoors but local businesses are still deciding if they want to implement this at their shops.

On Thursday the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention made the announcement that those who are fully vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine no longer have to wear masks indoors. The next day on Friday, Governor Jared Polis made a similar announcement with a change to the state's mask order that allows fully vaccinated people to ditch the mask in most settings.

KRDO reached out to several restaurants and shops in Colorado Springs to get their perspectives on this. Many restaurants tell us they want to hear from the Colorado Springs Restaurant Association for guidance before making a decision.

Peri Bolts, the founder and co-owner of Eclectic Co. in Colorado Springs, says she is in a similar position. “It was a bit of a shock to us so we aren’t prepared to make a decision today," Bolts said. As for now, they are still asking customers to wear a mask but, Bolts said a decision will be made soon.

“It’s really important to us that our vendors and our customers feel really comfortable with no matter what we do," Bolts said.

One question that has yet to be answered is if businesses do implement this guidance is how it will be enforced? Bolts says if they do lift their restrictions in accordance to the CDC and State allowing people to not wear masks if they are vaccinated, it will be on the honor system.

Bolts says, “We will not be asking people if they have been vaccinated certainly not asking for any proof.”

Bolts and other businesses say they want to avoid any confrontations about masks in their shops as we have seen before.

Governor Polis did discuss this at his Friday press conference when he made the announcement about the masks. “Some customers that will feel more comfortable with the mask experience and want them to do that," Polis. "There are other businesses where they have been ready to get rid of the masks for weeks or months and so I think there’s room for all of that.”

Jim Hendershott the owner of Billy's Old World Pizza in Colorado Springs says he got rid of mask requirements altogether.

“I took down my sign immediately so my customers can come in here and feel free to eat and not worry about walking around with a mask,” Hendershott said, adding that even if someone isn't fully vaccinated, he isn't worried about it.

Hendershott says, "I’m just applauding that the governor and CDC finally wised up and let people go on with their life.”