Colorado Governor Orders Ski Areas Closed on Virus Outbreak

(Bloomberg) --

Colorado Governor Jared Polis ordered the closing of all ski areas, popular resorts located in a region that accounts for 39 of the state’s 131 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus, according to official data.

The order is in effect for one week, Polis said.

In Eagle County, home to Vail Ski Resort and Beaver Creek Resort, 22 residents and two visitors tested positive, according to data from the state health department. High country counties Summit, Pitkin, Larimer and Routt also reported confirmed cases, state data show. The statewide total was raised by 30 cases today.

“It is with a profound sense of pain and grim responsibility that I take the agonizing action that this moment demands,” Polis said in an executive order issued late Saturday. “I take solace in knowing that while we will be temporarily closed for business, we will be saving the lives of hundreds, perhaps thousands of Coloradans in the days and weeks ahead.”

Denver, home to Denver International Airport, a main transit point, reported a citywide total of 24 residents and one visitor as confirmed cases.

Earlier Saturday, Vail Resorts suspended operations of all its North American mountain resorts and retail stores from March 15-22, CEO Rob Katz announced.

Last week, Polis advised people ages 60 and over to avoid the high country because of limited medical resources, according to local media.

On Friday, the state reported its first fatality, a woman in her 80s in El Paso County, which includes Colorado Springs. The woman participated in a bridge tournament in late February and early March, and health officials were checking other players as a precaution.

To contact the reporter on this story: Vincent Del Giudice in Denver at vdelgiudice@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Kristy Scheuble at kmckeaney@bloomberg.net, Flynn McRoberts

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