SALT LAKE CITY-Friday afternoon at the Utah State Capitol, Utah Governor Gary Herbert unleashed Utah Leads Together 2.0, as the Beehive State moves on from the “urgency” stage toward stabilization.
Lieutenant governor Spencer Cox commenced the proceedings by stating “Utah is handling the pandemic far better than we hoped-but is still suffering economically.”
Cox then set the stage for Herbert’s big announcement. Herbert commenced his statements by saying he has “good news” for Utah.
Herbert said that Trump’s plan, as revealed for reopening America Thursday, is complementary to Utah’s.
Herbert confirmed that Utah’s plans are “clear” and “data-driven metrics” as he continued his remarks.
Herbert proclaimed that the curve is declining in the Beehive State and that “vulnerable populations” (60 or older) need to be protected. Herbert said these people must be “extra cautious.”
Herbert then lauded Utah’s plans in preparing for this moment, citing the fact that the Beehive State did not have to scramble to get to where they are, confirming “our plan is working. It is bending the curve. We have been a leader.”
Herbert then further explained Utah Leads Together 2.0. It is designed, he said, to protect the health of the people of Utah, relying on real-time data. Special attention must also be paid to vulnerable populations as this is unveiled. Herbert confirmed that the Beehive State’s plan is the most comprehensive of any state in the United States.
By early May, Herbert hopes, Utahns may eat at sit-down restaurants, have elective surgeries performed and have the privilege of working out at gyms. This, of course, can only occur if social distance regulations are kept.
Herbert said that “we can simultaneously address health issues and support of our economy as we employ strong testing and hygiene measures to make public spaces safer.”
Herbert also said that he is lifting his restrictions for state parks in Utah. Utahns can once again go to all state parks in the state with the exception of those in counties that have their own health restrictions independent of Herbert’s directive.
This means that until the Wasatch County restriction is lifted, only residents of Wasatch County are allowed to visit Wasatch Mountain State Park or Jordanelle State Park, the Wasatch County Health Department told Heber Valley Radio Friday.
The next speaker was Speaker of the Utah House of Representatives Brad Wilson. Wilson showed a chart depicting the various stages of progression under the stabilization component of Utah Leads Together 2.0.
This has also been called phased timeline. As Utah is still in the “red stage” on the chart, stabilization can be achieved during the next week if social distancing regulations are kept, Wilson confirmed.
The next stage is the “orange stage” which represents moderate risk. It is anticipated, Wilson said, that the orange can be reached by the end of the month. This will allow Utahns to get back to work and otherwise resume their normal lives, with the exception of vulnerable populations, Wilson said.
The next stage is “yellow,” which may be achieved during the summer and ultimately “green” which represents “the new normal.” Per the phased timeline, this could be achieved by August or September.
Brandy Grace of the Utah Association of Counties then spoke and said it is incumbent upon individual counties to address any virus flare-ups. Grace said her organization will assist in reactivating counties throughout the state and help to identify hot spots where COVID-19 may have spread.
Utah State Senator Stuart Adams then spoke, expressing his optimism and encouragement for how Utah is progressing in regard to COVID-19.
Adams also shared his thoughts on the phased timeline, echoing the sentiments of previous speakers that social distancing regulations must be kept.
Adams then spoke of SB-3004. This consists of an “aggressive timeline to set up a 10-person committee to report to Herbert by April 22.
Herbert, in turn, must then respond by April 30.
Sister Jean Bingham, the Relief Society president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, then spoke of the endeavor Latter-Day Saint Charities has engaged in with the University of Utah earlier Friday.
This is called Project Protect and entails the construction of 5 million masks to be made for those in need. More information is available at projectprotect.health.
Salt Lake Chamber president Derek Miller then spoke. He confirmed that all businesses in Utah must use the steps as outlined by Wilson in Utah Leads Together.
Miller said “businesses must be vigilant in keeping work places safe” for workers. He continued, saying “common sense and judgment must reign supreme.”
Miller concluded, saying “Utah Leads Together provides a road map for Utahns to see the light at the end of the tunnel.:
Cox then spoke again, stating “what we have done in Utah is working and we need to keep doing it. Businesses and individuals must look at the plan. We must follow the guidelines, so we don’t have a spike in COVID-19 cases.”
Adams, when asked questions of the media, suggested that when people dine-in at restaurants, they should keep a six-foot distance from other patrons.
Herbert, in answering a question about if politics played a role in this decision, said “This is not a political tool.” He reiterated that good science and good data will steer the Beehive State’s decisions moving forward.
Adams, in fielding another question about the process of these upcoming events, said that Herbert has been granted the authority he has exercised since the beginning of Utah Leads Together and he will ultimately decide what happens moving forward.
When asked if state epidemiologist Dr. Angela Dunn has any say on what happens moving forward, Herbert said that the Utah Legislature will determine what happens next on the phase timeline. He did confirm that if there is something he doesn’t like, he will veto those ideas.
Cox concluded the briefing, saying that keeping people safe and getting people back to work is of paramount importance. Cox said that the Utah Legislature is doing the best it can to balance these matters and will do so moving forward.
