Two days before the lifting of Utah’s mandate nationwide, local leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were instructed to begin developing plans to return to all regular church worship and activities.
The Utah area presidency on Thursday sent a letter to presbyteries, each overseeing various congregations, asking them to take responsibility for how church members in their areas resume regular meetings.
“As infection rates in Utah continue to decline and vaccinations increase significantly, we are approaching a time when we can return to our normal church meetings and activities,” the letter reads.
Utah’s ‘endgame bill’, signed in March, ends the state’s masking mandate on Saturday. One city and province decided to continue the mask mandate. Salt Lake City on Wednesday called in emergency forces to continue to require face masks in public. Grand County said masks will be mandatory until June 15.
Thursday’s letter states that the presidency in Utah has consulted with senior church leaders – a term used for the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles – and health guidelines are being considered.
“We are now asking presidential presidents, in consultation with bishops and others, to develop plans and take responsibility for how members in their interest return to personal church meetings and activities for all organizations.”
The letter instructs local leaders to follow the health guidelines and safety protocols, including masks and distance, to broadcast Sunday services and provide ways for certain members to administer the sacrament in their homes, and to virtual second- hour classes to continue or to be in larger spaces if they feel it is best.
Masks remain mandatory for Utah schools until June.
Utah’s playoff law stops all other COVID-19 restrictions when the state meets three criteria: a two-week COVID-19 case rate of less than 191 per 100,000; less than 15% of the intensive care units inhabited by COVID-19 patients; and receipt by the state of at least 1.63 million vaccinations. In earlier versions of the accounts, these metrics had lower thresholds.
The law expires COVID-19 restrictions at the state and local levels by July 1, even if these criteria are not met.
Utah reported 483 new cases on Thursday, up 10.3% from the highest single-day reported cases on Dec. 31.
Utah administered a total of 1,603,855 vaccines.
Here is the full letter from the Utah Area Presidency:
We are deeply grateful for the leadership of presbyterians, bishops, and others in the Utah area who have developed plans throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and implemented guidelines to have our members worship at home and at church in a safe and compliant manner . As infection rates in Utah continue to decline and vaccinations increase significantly, we are approaching a time when we can return to our normal church meetings and activities.
In consultation with senior church leaders, and taking into account the warnings below, we ask the presbytery presidents, in consultation with bishops and others, to develop plans and take responsibility for how members in their presbytery return to personal church meetings and activities. for all organizations.
Comply with all guidelines of state and local government agencies and continue to follow appropriate safety guidelines and protocols, including masks and distancing, as determined by the presidency of the presbytery.
Continue broadcasting Sunday worship services as directed by the First Presidency and provide ways for certain members to administer the sacrament in their homes.
Interest presidencies can continue with virtual second-hour classes (especially when several wards meet in the same building and overlap meeting times), meet in larger spaces, or apply other safe options.
The Presidency of Utah Area