Polis: Statewide testing now available for anyone with COVID-19 symptoms
WHEAT RIDGE, Colo. (KRDO) -- Gov. Jared Polis gave an update Monday and said that anyone in the state who's experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 can now get tested immediately.
Watch a replay of the stream below:
Polis said Monday that the state now has the ability to test anyone with symptoms of COVID-19, which include a dry cough, shortness of breath, and fever. Many cities and community testing centers had already offered testing to people with symptoms, but the expansion across the state reached a new milestone, according to the governor.
You can find a list and map of community testing centers at this link here.
"Whether you have Medicaid, Medicare, or private insurance, or no healthcare insurance, cost is not a barrier. There is no co-pay. There is no out of pocket for testing," Governor Polis explained.
Governor Polis also said he's hoping to have guidelines for restaurants hoping to open back up, but he encouraged them to start thinking about outdoor seating.
"That's really the only way with the spacing we're going to have a thriving restaurant environment for the coming months," he said.
In Downtown Colorado Springs, restaurants and the city have already started looking a plan to execute seating into places like sidewalks, public parking spaces and renovated alleyways.
Alex Armani-Munn, with the Downtown Partnership of Colorado Springs says the application process are being, "turned around fairly quickly."
He's working with restaurants and the city to come up with individuals plans.
He says, "the [city] has made this a very accommodating process. Really folks can work with me to identify an area and what we need is an outline of the area with dimensions and the information of what you'd be doing in that area, in this case, it's serving food."
Kim Melchor, lead communications specialist with the City of Colorado Springs said, "no changes to City Code are required to extend outdoor seating areas in private parking lots or sidewalks, we would only need to administratively issue a Temporary Use Permit, for which the processes is already outlined in City Code."
Armani-Munn says wide sidewalks, plenty of public parkings space, and newly lit alleyways will make it easier for restaurants to adapt.
Governor Polis says he hopes to have a draft of guidelines out in the coming days, and plans on announcing an opening date for restaurants on Monday, May 25th.
