SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Department of Health has set an outreach date when parts of the state can remove a mandate for face masks.
LINKS: Here you can register for a COVID-19 vaccination in Utah
In an interview with FOX 13, UDOH CEO Rich Saunders said that eight weeks after Utah allocated 1.63 million primary doses of COVID-19 vaccine, provinces could lift mask mandates in the low-transfer index. Currently, Utah is administered at just over 400,000 primary doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
“There is an epidemiological endpoint that is not a new case for 28 consecutive days, and then there needs to be more of a practical end vision that we will achieve much sooner, where we can make serious adjustments,” he said.
The latest public health order issued by Saunders late Monday reflects the change in direction. It also adapts some physical distance requirements for provinces in the moderate transmission level.
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But Saunders warned that things could change again.
“So yes, we are now trying to forge the definition and the description,” he said. “What we described today is not what it’s going to look like in a month or two, but we’re starting to forge that vision now.”
Saunders said the 1.63 million doses reflect about 70% of the population eligible for the vaccine.
“We are in a relatively good place and the mask requirement, which is really a good requirement, it is the cheapest, the least invasive measure that makes the biggest difference, stays in place until the vaccines do come and then you go eight weeks. over, “he said. “You are going to get the doses in the condition and have time to put them into effect.”
The latest public health order also amends some restrictions for COVID-19 in schools and businesses. For K-12 schools, it is now necessary for all high school students to participate in a one-off school-sponsored extracurricular activity, such as a dance. Students will also be offered COVID tests in schools.
Bars in the moderate transmission index no longer need to limit occupancy to 75%, as long as they can ensure that patrons wear masks within 6 meters of another party. Even in moderate shipping, cinemas, sporting events, wedding venues and other entertainment can now sit side by side as all customers wearing masks can prove that they are free of any COVID-19 symptoms and are not under quarantine.
Masks can be removed for eating or drinking, but the physical distance of 6 feet is necessary in that case.
Meanwhile, the legislature in Utah is promoting bills that deal with public health orders and the COVID-19 vaccine. The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services passed a bill on a 4-3 vote preventing companies from drafting the vaccine.
The Utah Senate also passed a bill allowing the legislature to terminate an order on public health, but its sponsor did not anticipate that it would be used to abruptly lift COVID-19’s health restrictions.
“There is currently no question of that, no,” said Evan Vickers, leader of the Senate, R-Cedar City. “And certainly not a desire on my part to take any immediate action.”