Order extends mask mandate, adjusts school testing, public gathering policy

A Utah public health order issued late last month means masks designed to help stop the spread of COVID-19 will be required at least until of March 25. The order, issued by Utah Department of Health executive director Rich Saunders, also puts in place increased testing that will be required for one-time extracurricular high school activities and a “test to stay” policy for a K-12 school to remain open after an outbreak. It also eases some restrictions for bars and public gatherings in areas with “moderate” transmission. The order replaces the previous order that was signed Jan. 1 and expired Feb. 28.

The order mandates face coverings in indoor public settings and public outdoor settings in situations within 6 feet of an individual from a different household. Businesses and event hosts are still required to comply with “any face mask or physical distancing requirements required” under the update.

The public health order states counties with “low transmission” levels will be able to remove the requirement eight weeks after the department has been allocated 1.63 million first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. It is yet to be seen when that threshold may be reached. It is likely the requirement will only begin to be lifted in some areas sometime in late spring or early summer this year based on the definition in the health department guidelines.

The order also requires a “test to play” for school-sponsored “one-time” events such as dances. It also requires “test to stay” measures for school districts following an outbreak at a school.

“If the school implements ‘test to stay,’ any student who tests positive must transition to remote learning for 10 days from the date of their test,” the health department update said. “Students who choose not to be tested should also transition to remote learning for 10 days if less than 60 percent of the school population participated in the testing event or if the percent positivity from the testing event is 2.5 percent or higher.”

The other big changes are at bars or any public gatherings in counties of “moderate” level of transmission. The order states any bar in areas of “moderate” transmission no longer have to limit capacity to 75 percent but masks are still required and groups must remain at least 6 feet apart from each other.