The Aurora City Council on Monday unanimously approved a resolution to renew the city manager’s disaster declaration. This enables the city to delegate enforcement authority of public health and executive orders related to facial coverings to other city departments aside from the Aurora Police Department.

The disaster declaration also allows the city to quickly implement necessary policies to address regulatory changes, directives or licensing restrictions contained in the executive orders or public health orders.

The city of Aurora joins area jurisdictions in support of the recent executive order from Gov. Jared Polis and public health order from Tri-County Health Department that require people ages 11 and older to wear a covering over their noses and mouths in public indoor spaces and in other situations, depending on the order.

Face coverings are a safe, inexpensive, effective and easy way to slow the spread of COVID-19, used in conjunction with other best practices such as social distancing, handwashing and staying at home while experiencing symptoms.

“I firmly believe that this mandate is the least invasive way to help slow the spread of this virus and ensure that we can continue to keep our businesses open and get kids back in the classroom where they belong,” Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman said. “It’s going to take all of us to make this work, and we are confident that our residents and businesses will step up to meet this challenge.”

Businesses are required to post a notice about the executive and public health orders. Posters are available online to download at AuroraGov.org/COVIDPoster or at COVID19.Colorado.gov.

Residents who have concerns about the mandate not being followed may reach out to Tri-County Health Department’s call center at 303.220.9200. Concerns about business non-compliance may be sent to businesslic@auroragov.org or 303.739.7057. The city’s Tax and Licensing Division, Code Enforcement and Open Space and Natural Resources Division will educate residents and the public about these orders and will enforce the rules upon repeated violations.

For the latest information and resources related to COVID-19 in Aurora, visit AuroraGov.org/COVID-19.