Wasatch County Health Extends Stay Home Order

Wasatch County, Utah, April 14, 2020 – The Wasatch County Board of Health met and with support of local political leaders made the recommendation to extend Wasatch County’s Stay Safe, Stay Home health order. The original order enacted on April 1, was set to expire on April 14, but instead will extend until May 1. The extended order comes after a weekend with the number of cases reaching over 100 and the death of a Wasatch County resident from COVID-19. Wasatch County’s Health Director, Randall Probst, recognizes that the situation is very difficult as officials try to balance the hardship it causes to business with the need to promote and protect health and safety, especially with the vulnerable population of the county. “While we have seen a flattening of the projected trajectory of COVID-19 cases since the order was enacted,” said Probst, “we are continuing to see new cases daily. Staying the course with this order will continue distancing practices that are proving to be effective. It will also align our efforts with Governor Herbert’s directive and other orders in Utah.” Discussion also centered around the desire to find an end to the devastating effects of COVID-19 and return to a sense of normal business and societal function as soon as possible. “Over the next two weeks we will be working with local businesses to identify best practices and personal protective materials needed to be ready to quickly open back up in a reasonably safe manner in an ongoing COVID-19 environment,” Probst added. Public and health officials would like to remind Wasatch County residents that the order (now effective until May 1): 1. Directs all individuals to stay home except to engage in essential activities, which includes going to work under the conditions outlined in the order. 2. Matches earlier county and state public health orders regarding food service operations. 3. Requires that all business and operations, except essential businesses, and minimum basic operations remain closed to the public, except as detailed in the order. 4. Requires all businesses to actively enforce personal distancing practices and exclude ill employees from working; personal distancing should include at least 6 feet between all people in the establishment. 5. Defines essential businesses that should remain open and advises personal distancing and sanitation practices. Essential businesses must still exclude ill employees from working. 6. Closes children’s playgrounds and prohibits team sports, including pick-up games, though outdoor sport courts and fields will remain open for individual and for individuals that reside in the same household. Residents are asked to responsibly enjoy recreational amenities by always maintaining 6 feet from people outside of their household. 7. Shall be implemented consistent with applicable law The order in its entirety is available at coronavirus.wasatch.utah.gov. Anyone with questions about the order can talk with a health department representative by calling 435-657-3276. ###