Beginning Monday, October 26, Mesa County will return to the level 1 Safer at Home variance because the rising numbers of COVID-19 case numbers have exceeded the level allowed under its previous variance level, Protect Our Neighbors. The Safer at Home level means the county will limit capacity at businesses to 175 people or 50 percent, whichever is lower; bars that do not have a retail food license will be closed and gyms, recreation centers and bowling alleys will be limited to 75 people per room or 25 percent capacity, whichever is lower. If a local business has taken part in the Protect Our Variance program, those businesses will be allowed to continue under the Protect Our Neighbors variance level. Learn more about the status of COVID-19 and how to protect our community on the Mesa County Public Health website: https://health.mesacounty.us/covid19/