SALT LEAK CITY – The Utah Department of Health has set an exit date when parts of the state can remove mandatory face masks.
Links: Here’s how to register for the Covid-19 vaccination in Utah
In an interview with Fox13, Yudoh’s executive director, Rich Saunders, said that eight weeks after hitting the 1.63 million primary dose of the COVID-19 vaccine allotted to Utah, the counties could lift the mask command in the lower transmission index. Right now, Utah is administered by the COVID-19 vaccine at just over 400,000 primary doses.
“There is an end point to the epidemic which is not a new case for those ૨ straight days and then there could be a practical final vision that we will get very soon, where we can make some serious adjustments.”
The latest public health order, issued late Monday by Saunders, reflects a change in direction. It also tweaks some body-distance requirements for intermediate transmission level counties.
Read: Utah flag hoisting on half-staff this week for COX Order Nationwide COVID-19 victims
But Saunders warned that things could change again.
“So yes, we’re trying to make that definition and that description now,” he said. “What we’ve described today is not what it would look like in a month or two. We’re starting to build that vision now.”
Sanders said 1.63 million doses of the vaccine reflect about 70% of the eligible population.
“We’re in a relatively good position and the need for a mask, which is a really good need, is the cheapest, least aggressive step that makes the biggest difference, stay in place until the vaccines arrive and then you go for the last eight weeks.” He said. “You’re going to take doses in the state and find time to come to their effect.”
The latest Public Health Order also changes some of the restrictions for COVID-19 in schools and businesses. For K-12 schools, testing will now be required of all high school students participating in a one-time school-sponsored extraordinary activity such as dancing. Students will also be given COVID testing in schools.
Bars in the moderate transmission index will no longer have to limit occupancy% occup %%, as long as they can ensure that the patron wears a mask inside the other party’s ankle. Even in moderate transmissions, in movie theaters, sporting events, wedding venues and other entertainment now all aunts sitting side by side can accept to be free from any COVID-19 symptoms and are not subject to quarantine.
The mask can be removed for eating or drinking, but in that case a 6-foot physical distance is required.
Meanwhile, the Utah state legislature is pushing for a bill dealing with public health orders and the COVID-19 vaccine. Senate Health and Human Services Committee -3–3 has passed a bill on the vote that prevents industries from making vaccines mandatory.
Utah State Senate The legislature also passed a bill allowing the public health ordinance to be repealed, but its sponsors did not imagine that it would suddenly be used to remove COVID-19 health restrictions.
“It doesn’t matter right now,” said Senate Majority Leader Evan Vickers, R-Cedar City. “And I don’t want to take any immediate action.”
