Governor Herbert Says Most of Utah Will Move from “Orange” to “Yellow” This Weekend

May 15, 2020

Governor Herbert announced at a press conference on Thursday that most of Utah will move from the moderate-risk phase (orange), to low-risk phase (yellow) this weekend. Grand, Summit and Wasatch counties, as well as Salt Lake City and West Valley City, however, will remain under moderate-risk guidelines. Salt Lake City Airport will also remain in the moderate-risk category.

The phased-in, color-coded designations are part of the Governor’s “Utah Leads Together” plan to reopen and reignite the state economy. This latest move to the low risk level reflects a slowing of COVID-19 infection rates in the state and comes with a set of updated Phased Guidelines for the General Public and Businesses to Maximize Public Health and Economic Reactivation Version 4.3.

The shift to low-risk status liberalizes some current restrictions, but continues to encourage social distancing, wearing masks, and minimizing out-of-state travel. Changes includes:

• Gathering in groups of 50 instead of 20 while maintaining social distancing
• All businesses open taking reasonable precautions
• Face coverings/masks only when social distancing would be difficult
• Outdoor recreation (sports teams) require symptom and temperature checks in place of social distancing

Utah’s Public Health and Economic Emergency Commission, chaired by Senate Majority Whip Dan Hemmert, R-Orem, and Maj. Gen. Jefferson Burton, the acting director of the Utah Department of Health, made the recommendation to the Governor to move to yellow based on the state’s public health data.