Officials point to other states and nations that have seen success with mask mandates. Team members and vendors at all Lins stores will continue to wear masks and we urge our guests to wear masks while shopping with us.. He is the proud father of two boys, his youngest a champion against both autism and Type 1 diabetes. Kids who havent seen their teachers and friends faces. CDC guidance for wearing masks website Clean and Disinfect Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. He is the proud father of two boys, his youngest a champion against both autism and Type 1 diabetes. Mandates in Atlanta and Savannah that required most individuals to mask up in indoor public places were rescinded in late February. As omicron spreads on campus, local universities and colleges face COVID-19 in i SUU to consider vaccine mandate, updates COVID guidance before start of semester, BYU announces mask mandate for fall classes. Another area not seeing any change by the state masks mandate ending are schools. A bill signed by the state Legislature and signed by the governor has forced an end to the mandate that was first enacted by the previous Utah governor, Gary Herbert, in November; however, that bill still allows businesses to continue their own policies requiring masks in their stores. The debate over the bill got tense in the House, as lawmakers deliberated personal freedoms and the collective good. ST. GEORGE On Saturday, the statewide mask mandate requiring Utah residents to wear masks or face coverings when physical distancing is not possible comes to an end. | Photo by JJ Gouin, iStock/Getty Images Plus, St. George News, Copyright 2010 - 2023 StGeorgeUtah.com LLC, all rights reserved, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, : 4,682 (56.1 new infections per day in seven days, rising), Washington County: 3,676 (46.7 per day, rising), Garfield County: 59 (3.1 per day, rising), Washington County: 38 (4 new since last report: female hospitalized between 65-84, female hospitalized between 65-84, male long-term facility resident between 65-84, male long-term facility resident between 65-84), Garfield County: 3 (1 new, female hospitalized between 45-65), : Garfield (18.1% positive tests, 472.4 per 100,000 case rate), : Washington (12.6% positive tests, 327.9 per 100,000 case rate), Iron (8.3% positive tests, 153.5 per 100,000 case rate), : Beaver (7.1% positive tests, 197.6 per 100,000 case rate), Kane (6.5% positive tests, 90.8 per 100,000 case rate). In an interview with FOX 13 on Friday, Rep. Pierucci hoped the legislature wouldn't have to revisit future emergency health orders. Potentially, if a county reduces its case rate and positive test percentage in the next two weeks, it could see its mask mandate lifted. Initially, Garfield County is the one local county being placed in the high category, while Washington and Iron counties are considered at the moderate level. While were on this subject, to people who are mocking individuals who wear masks who are being rude and combative to our front line health care workers: knock it off. Where: 745 N Dixie Dr in St. George and 915 Red Cliffs Dr. in Washington City. Updated 5 p.m., May 7: Reaction from Utah Department of Health. If you would like to? Also coming in handy toward understanding the struggle for families: shes a mother to two school-age children. Would you like to have the day's news stories delivered right to your inbox every evening? Dunham was unable to reveal how many positive cases there are, the students ages or the schools they attend, or how many have needed to quarantine as a result. It wont be a case anymore of a county needing to request the governor for a move to green as much as it will be where the county is in regard to the infection rate and the percent of local coronavirus tests that come back presently. While many of Pritzker's vaccine mandates on people like college staff and students and K-12 staff have since been lifted, Pritzker defended the mandated shots. In an effort to curb the state's alarming resurgence of COVID-19, Utah's governor mandated masks statewide and implemented sweeping new restrictions on in-home gatherings and after-school sports . Southwest Utah Public Health Department Kanab office, Southwest Utah Public Health Department Panguitch office, Southwest Utah Public Health Department Beaver Office, 400 East Campus St. George Regional Hospital, Use vaccinefinder.org to find a location near you, To file complaint about non-compliance with mask mandate, Hospital sees some COVID capacity relief but warns about New Year's, return to school, Moms ask school district to disavow NSBA letter labeling outspoken parents 'domestic terrorists', COVID outbreak reported at Latter-day Saint missionary training center, Year in review: Southern Utahs most read and notable stories of 2021, Family struggles after mother dies 23 days after father in Christmas Eve crash just south of St. George, Groups scour 2022 Utah budget for funds to fight hunger. Senate President J. Stuart Adams signed the resolution in front of FOX 13 on Friday, ending the mandates immediately. Five days ago, it was announced masks were required for shopping in-store at all Walmart and Sam's Club locations across the country to reduce the spread of COVID-19. We have 60, 70 or more people so thats certainly a component for us, Pettit said, referring to a statement by Associated Foods that says: Associated Foods feels it is imperative that masks be worn in our stores until our team and partners have had the opportunity to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Proof of residency may be required, though a person does not have to reside in the county they are receiving the vaccine. Deidre Henderson reiterated that the state was not acting in response to the move in Washington County. Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2021, all rights reserved. The mandate could stand for 30 days before the county council or commission would need to approve that moving forward. Gary Herbert has issued an emergency declaration making the wearing of face coverings mandatory and restricting indoor social gatherings to 10 or less in Washington, Iron and Garfield counties. The protest, which drew hundredsto the Washington County School District building in St. George, was held Aug. 21 in opposition to a school mask mandate required statewide by Utah Gov. Vaccines now available for those 12 and over. While these categorizations might read like abstract nuances in a scholarly debate, they actually have major, concrete implications for strategy and policy in the 21st century. Charla Haley, Public Information Officer for the Utah Department of Health tells ABC4, "H.B. We are at very high rates of COVID spread and we are hopeful to have the Omicron variant of the virus behind us soon. ST. GEORGE A few days after the Washington County School District unilaterally decided to no longer enforce the states mask mandate for schools, Gov. The one difficulty that may come into play and may even bring back the days of filled vaccine appointment slots is the Pfizer vaccine is less available than the similar mRNA-based Moderna vaccine, as the Pfizer vaccine requires storage in specialized freezers in extreme sub-zero temperatures. Reservations: Walk-ins available. The Southwest Utah Public Health Department, which has been staying strictly with the Moderna and Johnson and Johnson vaccines since February, will be holding Pfizer-specific clinics in each of the five local counties starting next week, with reservations available at this link. Brian Kemp issued an executive order in August 2021 prohibiting local governments from imposing mask rules on private businesses. News. I dont think the government should be telling us what we should do with our bodies, says St. George resident, Amanda Jacobs. Update 7:00 p.m., The story has been updated with the note that St. George Regional Hospital also has Pfizer vaccine doses available for those ages 12 and up. Would you like to have the day's news stories delivered right to your inbox every evening? The Spectrum, part of the USA TODAY Network, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. He started his journalism career as a sports reporter and editor in Southern California where he once compared shoe sizes with Shaquille O'Neal and exchanged mix tapes with members of the Los Angeles Kings. I dont know there was any school district that accelerated this, Henderson said. Masks are now required in Salt Lake City facilities following an executive order from Mayor Erin Mendenhall. signed by the state Legislature and signed by the governor has forced an end to the mandate that was first enacted by the previous Utah governor, Gary Herbert. Chris Reed serves as an editor and reporter for St. George News. Spencer Cox, under the business and 50-plus stipulation, has already said all state offices will continue to require masks. In addition to requiring a distance of at least 6 feet between each group or lone diners, the. Most national chains like Walmart, Target and Kroger, the parent company of Smiths, have said they are going by federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, which continue to advocate for face coverings when physical distancing is not possible. The National Park Service also continues to monitor and. ST. GEORGE Southern Utah had its third-highest day of the pandemic for new infections Friday, but one of the leading doctors for Intermountain Healthcare said the mask mandate enacted nearly a month ago is still working. Where: 745 N Dixie Dr in St. George and 915 Red Cliffs Dr. in Washington City. and 2928 E. Mall Drive in St. George, 1120 State St. in Hurricane and 150 N Main St. in Cedar City. St. George News has made every effort to ensure the information in this story is accurate at the time it was written. According to the state health department, southwest Utah is seeing a very high rate of COVID-19 cases, with 32,610 cases and 140 hospitalizations. Thats where Candice Nay, mother of Camron and Rylee, said she heard about the students plans. They were aware that we were going to be moving forward with this.. The joint resolution to terminate the mask orders, including the student mask mandate in Salt Lake City, passed by a 45-29 vote. Each level will have the following restrictions: However, regardless of the transmission level, both high and moderate levels will be under a mask requirement and social gatherings must be at 10 or below over the next two weeks. Masks are still encouraged, and I would ask that parents, students and teachers be respectful of those who decide they want to wear masks, Cox said. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Lt. Gov. Enter your email below to start! Spencer Cox indicated he will sign. Gary Herbert seen in an address to all Utahns Sunday evening where he ordered a . ST. GEORGE Gov. "In spite of the misguided actions of the Legislature today, please continue to wear good-quality masks while in public. Categories. Spencer Cox announced that Utah is lifting that mandate for the rest of the states school districts for the last week of their school years. This week, the state court system said it is doing the same. Georgia Gov. A county can move up a level on a weekly basis and would need to have two weeks of lower transmission rates and positive tests to move down a level. Throughout the pandemic, Washington County has been, by far, the prime source of infections. Where: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Wedgewood Lane, 2015 N Wedgewood Lane, Cedar City. Voluntary. Where: 1930 W. Sunset Blvd. St. George News has made every effort to ensure the information in this story is accurate at the time it was written. That is no longer the case, as this week Iron County surged ahead of Washington County as far as new daily infections of COVID-19. in St. George, 625 W. Telegraph St. in Washington City, 180 N. 3400 West in Hurricane and 1330 S. Providence Center Dr. in Cedar City. Where: 625 W. Telegraph St. in Washington City, 180 N. 3400 West in Hurricane and 1330 S. Providence Center Dr. in Cedar City. According to Western Journal: The Republican Party of Washington County, Pennsylvania, issued a statement Monday on Facebook calling for Sen. John Fetterman to appear on camera to "show us he is alive and well.". After discussing the need to help with schools, first responders, health care and businesses with the Speaker yesterday, it was disappointing to see the State interfere with local decisions dedicated to the well-being of Salt Lake County residents, without any other solutions offered," she said in a statement to FOX 13. ST. GEORGE With omicron COVID cases sharply rising in Utah, Zion National Park continues to mandate masks and limit services. Governor orders statewide mask mandate, bans social gatherings for next two week Southern Utah sets new 1-day record for COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations. Ketia Daniel, founder of BHM Cleaning Co., is BestReviews cleaning expert. He has steadily moved east after growing up among the Valley girls of Southern Californias San Fernando Valley. Southwest Utah Public Health Department Kanab office, Southwest Utah Public Health Department Panguitch office, Southwest Utah Public Health Department Beaver Office, 400 East Campus St. George Regional Hospital, Use vaccinefinder.org to find a location near you, To file complaint about non-compliance with mask mandate, Utah Food Bank expands St. George distribution center, dedicates facility to longtime volunteer, Survey: Springdale residents open to denser housing option as planning commission considers zone proposal, We want to be heard: Washington County students organize anti-censorship group after books removed from school, Paid summer internships available across Utah's public lands, Gabby Petito's family files amended lawsuit against Moab police, 3 agencies combine to help rapeller who fell in mountains above Snow Canyon. Must register in advance online for an appointment time. It could be on its own curve., Where: St. George Active Life Center, 245 N. 200 West, St George. for those who have been fully vaccinated that said if someone has been fully inoculated against the virus, the time has come where they can truly just about throw away the mask and go back to the way things were before the pandemic began. Nearby Clark County School District, which includes Las Vegas and Mesquite, announced their plans to continue requiring masks in schools on Tuesday. Herbert then instituted various mask mandates for state employees and schools, and the rate of new cases throughout the state dropped slightly. A few days after the Washington County School District unilaterally decided to no longer enforce the states mask mandate for schools, Gov. Contrast this to: "Vaccine-induced immunity is acquired through the introduction of a killed or weakened form of the disease organism through vaccination.". "Im hoping that omicron is the last variant, right? Spencer Cox reaffirmed [] Part-time residents can get vaccinated with proof of residency. and 2928 E. Mall Drive in St. George, 1120 State St. in Hurricane and 150 N Main St. in Cedar City. The Utah Department of Health, however, reports that unvaccinated Utahns have been 2.4 times as likely to contract the virus during the omicron wave as vaccinated people have been. They were protesting Gov. Were unsure why Iron hasnt dropped as fast as Washington., Heaton said. Cox also called on businesses to lift all mask and vaccine requirements, claiming the omicron variant disproved the value of the vaccine in preventing spread. A protester at the march, per The Spectrum, part of the USA TODAY Network, said during a closing prayer that "safety is not as important as our freedom and liberty.". Some people want to make it a political issue, Rich Saunders, interim director of the Utah Department of Health, said. I really support and approve what theyre doing because somebody has to stick up for the American people and put an end to everything going on, if the numbers in our area went up and it was urgent and essential, Im sure people would cooperate, but unless its necessary I dont think we need to keep going back and forth with it, says Jacobs. Events (69) Morning Show (1) News . My Statement on today's Mask Mandate Reversal. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Dr. Angela Dunn, the executive director of Salt Lake County's health department, urged residents to mask up regardless of any mandates. Must register in advance online for an appointment time, though some pharmacies are offering walk-up appointments. ST. GEORGE The Washington County School District is no longer requiring students and staff to wear face coverings inside school campuses. Polarity is simply the number of great powers . The CDCs. It will more likely take the form of enforcement of local health departments similar to how restaurants with food preparation violations or construction sites not in compliance with local ordinances are dealt with now. Another resident, Betty Jake,told KTVXshe hated masks because "most child molesters love them. The debates came as the Utah State Legislature is already grappling with COVID-19 within the Capitol itself. Theyve really suffered through the pandemic.. Were referring to this as a circuit breaker. Were working through that data with the health department to see if anyone else needs to be isolated.. Gary Herbert ordered a statewide mask mandate and also ordered that households may not participate in or host social gatherings other than with people in their immediate households for the next two weeks.These moves are in response to an ongoing surge in the COVID-19 pandemic. owever, that bill still allows businesses to continue their own policies requiring masks in their stores. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Agendas and Minutes In a statement to FOX 13, Democratic Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson expressed disappointment. He graduated from Cal State Northridge before spending a decade in Las Vegas. Rep. Pierucci argued the mandates were simply not effective in getting people to mask. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. I, like you, am tired of 2020. Utah's largest healthcare system announced this week that masks will be optional, starting March 15th. Washington County School District office in St. George, Utah, on July 25, 2019 | Photo by Ryann Richardson, St. George News. , Jazz get blown out by Oklahoma City, 130-103, BYU rallies to beat Portland at WCC Tournament, Governor Cox on the 2023 legislative session, Cristal Isa scores perfect 10 on Senior Night for, 14-year-old finds alleged robber through social media, Unique Strategy Used for 2023s Legislative Session, Man charged for murder in Dylan Rounds disappearance, Walgreens wont sell abortion pills in Utah and 19, Abortion bill stricter than Utahs trigger law passes, Brine shrimp now Utahs official state crustacean, Dalton Kincaid could be first tight end drafted, Woods Cross police officer arrested after DV incident, Police say Allan had a gun, refused to cooperate, Gas Tracker: Find the cheapest gas prices in Utah, Video Programmer Closed Captioning Quality Certification, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Where: 20 N. Bluff St.and565 S. Mall Drive in St. George and 633 S. Main St. in Cedar City. Nygren and Navajo Nation Council Delegate Otto Tso, who is temporarily overseeing the tribes legislative branch, announced the change in the evening. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. SALT LAKE CITY The Utah House of Representatives voted Friday to overturn mask mandates in Salt Lake and Summit counties. But Im especially tired for those who have lost loved ones, Herbert said. Im a pediatrician and the most exciting thing is the ability to vaccinate children and get their lives back to normal, Hofmann said. The masks-required sign inside the west entrance of the Harmon's grocery store in St. George, Utah, March 19, 2021 | Photo by Mori Kessler. Where: 1189 E. 700 Southin St. George and 3520 Pioneer Parkway in Santa Clara. As a news reporter and editor, he has covered parades, triumphs and tragedies. Proof of residency may be required, though a person does not have to reside in the county they are receiving the vaccine. Utah does not have a statewide mask mandate. A weeks-oldanti-mask protest in Utah has become the source of online backlash after a TV news report detailing the rally went viral on social media. Under the law, a local health department can issue an order requiring masks. On Saturday, the statewide mask mandate requiring Utah residents to wear masks or face coverings when physical distancing is not possible comes to an end. Iron County has averaged between 35 and 45 new infections per day this week, while Washington County has stayed in the teens. And although China is a pole in what is now a bipolar U.S.-China system, it is neither a regional hegemon nor a superpower. Additionally, a new note at the top of the St. George Police Department's police reports submission page directs those wishing to make mask mandate complaints to do so through the Utah. For the first time since the pandemic began, Southern Utah is averaging at least one death per day, according to the Southwest Utah Public Health Department. St. George News has made every effort to ensure the information in this story is accurate at the time it was written. Gary Herbert mentioned the possibility of a statewide mask mandate. Spencer Cox said the mask mandate still remains in effect in all Utah counties, including Kane County. Special Report. "People, they dont have the opportunity to stay home and stay safe because they have to teach our kids and stock our grocery shelves," she told her House colleagues. Walmart and Kroger the parent of Smiths Marketplace among others have said their policies are based on CDC guidance. The Southwest Utah Public Health Department Director, Dr. David Blodgett says hes in support of this policy, but warns residents, not following CDC guidelines could come with consequences.