In a statewide emergency declaration, Governor Gary Herbert called upon Utahns to prevent the spread of the coronavirus by increasing preventative measures focused on social gatherings primarily among youth, after work and school, to limit the transmission of COVID-19.
The emergency declaration:
- Places the entire state under a mask mandate in public when physical distancing is not possible.
- Limits casual social gatherings to households until November 23, 2020.
- Puts youth and high school extracurricular activities, including athletic and intramural events, on hold for the duration of the order.
- Requires students enrolled at public and private colleges and universities, who either live on campus or attend at least one in-person class per week, to be tested for COVID-19 weekly.
“We welcome Governor Herbert’s declaration,” said Derek Miller, President and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber and Downtown Alliance. “Our healthcare system cannot sustain the current spread without seriously reducing the quality of care patients receive. The Governor has made it clear that we are all in this together, and he has stressed the need to protect ourselves and others from contagion.”
“The business community has been a leader in efforts to mitigate COVID-19 from its earliest contagion in Utah,” Miller said. “Our members and employers throughout the state have worked to balance the two critical imperatives of promoting health and economic wellbeing of individuals, families, and our community.”
“To promote best practices, the Chamber launched the Stay Safe to Stay Open campaign throughout the state. This campaign allows businesses to pledge and promote what they are doing to keep employees and customers safe by following seven simple yet powerful public health guidelines including wearing masks, social distancing and checking symptoms.”
Public health and economic wellbeing are not mutually exclusive, in fact they are mutually supportive in protecting lives and livelihoods.”
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