SALT LAKE CITY-Wednesday, Utah Governor Gary Herbert and state epidemiologist Dr. Angela Dunn addressed the media for their daily press briefing.
Herbert mentioned there have been several modifications to the initial directive he gave March 27.
Perhaps the most significant one is that Utahns can now go into restaurants or dine-in facilities so long as social distancing regulations are kept.
However, Herbert cautioned, these are not to be large group areas where people congregate. Herbert believes this modification can stabilize the economy.
Herbert also modified the directive inversely as he has made the directive that Utahns are not to visit state parks outside of the county in which they reside an order.
State park personnel will assist in this process.
If any workers should test positive for COVID-19, they are to return home and self-isolate for 14 days, per federal standards.
The same rule applies for anyone who resides in a home/dwelling where someone tests positive for coronavirus.
For people who have been laid off or fired from their jobs, Herbert said federal assistance should be coming soon.
To expedite this process, such people can go to jobs.utah.gov and get more information. Herbert asks that this form be filled out online as this process works more seamlessly than calling.
Herbert said the state may also look into the “rainy day” fund that the state has carefully been collecting through more prosperous times.
Herbert also said that attendants in apartment complexes or other dwellings owned by someone else may defer their rental payments through May 15. Furthermore, a landlord cannot enforce eviction notices for non-payment until May 15.
Herbert later clarified on Twitter that this is only a “temporary moratorium.” Those who can pay their rent should do so immediately, he said. Those who cannot pay at this time will be required to pay current and back rent when this order expires.
This weekend, Herbert asked Utahns to stay close to home, saying “don’t go to other places and get infected.”
In a few brief remarks, lieutenant governor Spencer Cox exhorted all Utahns to go out and do something, such as serving in their communities.
Dunn reported that there are now 1,012 COVID-19 cases in Utah with a 14 percent growth rate. Over the course of the past 4-5 days, she said, the Beehive State remains constant at a 5 percent positive testing rate.
Dunn says that a chance exists Utah may be turning the curve and while there is a daily increase in cases, there is no exponential growth of the virus at this stage.
Before anyone can get truly optimistic, however, she said, this trend needs to be seen over the course of a 2-week period.
Dunn also said that while hospitals are not at risk of being overwhelmed right now, there could possibly be a shortage of ICU beds and ventilators should social distancing regulations and other instructions not be kept.
Herbert and Dunn will again address the media Thursday.
