SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Tueday, the top health official in Utah‘s most populous county said she will seek a mask mandate in schools for kids under the age of 12, who are unable to get vaccinated.
Salt Lake County Health Director Angela Dunn said that she issued an order of constraint requiring children under 12 to wear masks in school, which will officially be issued Wednesday.
Dunn, who was targeted by anti-mask protesters when she served as state epidemiologist until stepping down a few months ago, made the announcement with Mayor Jenny Wilson who said she supports the decision. The new mask order comes about a week before children return to school and would only apply in indoor settings.
I'm heartbroken that this is where we are as our kids enter school. Sadly the Delta variant is very aggressive, and we all need to do everything we can do to keep this virus under control. I support Dr. Dunn's order of constraint for our kids in K-6.https://t.co/gqgklwDCLp
— Mayor Jenny Wilson (@SLCoMayor) August 10, 2021
“It is in the best public health interest of our students for them to be in masks in the fall, to keep them in person learning with the least disruption possible and the least health concerns possible,” said Dunn.
Last year masks were required in schools but under a new state law school mask mandates are banned. Local health departments can issue a rule but only with the support from elected county leaders, and anti-mask advocates have been vocal in their opposition.
Dunn’s order now moves to the Republican-controlled Salt Lake County Council.
