ST. GEORGE, Utah-
4:12 pm
The Utah Department of Health turned down the Southwest Utah Public Health Department’s request to transition from orange (moderate risk) to yellow (low risk) Tuesday afternoon. St. George Mayor Jon Pike reported mayors and county commissioners throughout Washington, Iron and Kane Counties were all on board to move to yellow but the Health Department said this is too soon.
Local leaders throughout southwestern Utah believe, however, that the pandemic has been mild in their part of the Beehive State. Southwest Utah Public Health Department spokesman David Heaton said the St. George-based health department’s goal is not to kill COVID-19 but rather to protect the vulnerable population while everyone else bolsters the economy.
One of the counties in this district, Beaver County, has no cases of COVID-19.
Southwest Utah Public Health Department leaders confirmed that state officials will consider this transition as of May 15.
7:22 am
Cities and counties in southwestern Utah are supporting loosening of some of the coronavirus restrictions of people and businesses in the area.
With Utah currently under orange or “moderate risk,” certain people in these regions are advocating for an increase to yellow, which would allow gatherings of up to 50.
This would allow all businesses to reopen and schools could have classes again.
Heaton said, in a statement, that he hopes for Washington, Kane, Garfield and Iron Counties to transition to yellow.
A decision from Utah Gov. Herbert could possibly come within two weeks on this matter.
