Coronavirus updates: Governor Herbert suspends enforcement for expired vehicle registration

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SALT LAKE CITY — Here are the latest coronavirus-related updates from Utah and around the world.

If you're on a mobile device and can't see the updates below, click on this link.

Wednesday, 08:55pm

Governor Herbert suspends enforcement for expired vehicle registration

On Wednesday, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert issued an order suspending the enforcement for expired vehicle tags. The order goes into effect on Thursday and will remain in effect until May 15. The measure is aimed at helping Utahns trying to “navigate closures and appointment-only registration systems.” The Utah Division of Motor Vehicles has plans to reopen lobbies via appointment only starting on Friday.

Wednesday, 06:51pm

Utah Department of Agriculture extends order allowing restaurants to repackage, resell raw prepackaged foods

Temporary guidelines for restaurants amid the novel coronavirus pandemic were extended on Wednesday by the Utah Department of Agriculture. The health order allows restaurants to continue repackaging and reselling prepackaged foods in their inventories to the public until further notice. Restaurants must follow public health regulations issued by local health departments, such as separating raw and ready to eat foods, selling resale only and following proper packaging guidelines. — Lauren Bennett, KSL.com

Wednesday, 03:50pm

Hogle Zoo to reopen Saturday

Utah's Hogle Zoo will reopen to the public, with restrictions, on Saturday, May 2, the zoo announced Wednesday. Precautions will include:

The zoo will restrict the number of visitors allowed per day

Visitors must buy tickets online in advance

Visitors will be required to wear masks at all times

The zoo's indoor exhibits, playground, train and carousel will remain closed

Visitors will follow a one-way path around the zoo

Food and dining options will be walk-up and outdoor only

"After 50 long days, we are very happy to reopen Utah's Hogle Zoo to the public," said president and CEO Steve Burns in a news release. "In order to keep our guests, staff and animals healthy, we will ask our guests to follow the rules while they are here. Together, we will get to stay open." Utah's Hogle Zoo will be open every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. — Graham Dudley, KSL.com

Wednesday, 02:34pm

Remdesivir proves effective against coronavirus in US study

An experimental drug has proved effective against the new coronavirus in a major study, shortening the time it takes for patients to recover by four days on average, U.S. government and company officials announced Wednesday. Gilead Sciences’s remdesivir is the first treatment to pass such a strict test against the virus, which has killed more than 218,000 people since it emerged late last year in China. Having a treatment could have a profound effect on the global pandemic, especially because health officials say any vaccine is likely a year or more away. The study, run by the National Institutes of Health, tested remdesivir versus usual care in 1,063 hospitalized coronavirus patients around the world. At the White House, NIH’s Dr. Anthony Fauci said the drug reduced the time it takes patients to recover by 31% — 11 days on average versus 15 days for those just given usual care. — Associated Press

Wednesday, 02:34pm

Salt Lake City police officer tests positive for coronavirus; 30 others quarantined

A Salt Lake City police officer has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, officials said Wednesday. The department first learned of the positive case on Monday and said the officer is not a first responder. Officials are working with the city health department to conduct contact tracing. So far, 30 other employees have been quarantined until health officials clear them. — Lauren Bennett, KSL.com

Wednesday, 01:04pm

152 new COVID-19 cases reported Wednesday in Utah

In its daily update on COVID-19 cases in Utah, the state health department announced 152 new cases and no new deaths from the disease. That brings the state to 4,495 total confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus, up from 4,343 cases the day before. There have been 383 total hospitalizations and 45 coronavirus-related deaths in Utah. The total number of cases reported by the health department includes all cases of COVID-19 since Utah’s outbreak began including those who are infected now, those who have recovered from the disease, and those who have died. — Graham Dudley, KSL.com

Wednesday, 12:25pm

Salute Utah Flyover across Utah to honor first responders, healthcare workers and other essential personnel

The U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II Demonstration and 388th Fighter Wing will conduct a flyover across Utah on Thursday. The Salute Utah Flyover will honor first responders, healthcare workers and other essential personnel “while standing in solidarity with all Utahns during the COVID-19 pandemic,” according to a Utah Department of Veterans & Military Affairs news release. The formation will take off from Hill Air Force Base at 1 p.m. and head south through Salt Lake City to St. George, then looping back north to Park City and Logan before flying back south through Ogden and back to the base. The flyover will be seen above several Utah Veterans Homes between the following times on Thursday:

1:10 to 1:15 p.m.: William E. Christoffersen Salt Lake Veterans Home and George E. Wahlen VA Medical Center

1:15 to 1:25 p.m.: Mervyn Sharp Bennion Central Utah Veterans Home

1:50 to 1:55 p.m.: Southern Utah Veterans Home

3:00 to 3:15 p.m.: George E. Wahlen Ogden Veterans Home

Residents should follow the state’s Stay Safe, Stay Home directive, refraining from traveling to see the flyover, and watch it from their homes, the release said. “I’m tremendously grateful to all Utahns who have taken steps to flatten the curve and slow the spread of coronavirus,” Gov. Gary. R. Herbert said in the release. “The Salute Utah Flyover is an excellent way to pay tribute to those at the frontlines combating the outbreak. Like our pilots and crews, our essential workers are our warriors. This is a tribute to them and to every Utahn fighting coronavirus.”

NEWS: @usairforce's @F35demoteam and @388fw to conduct a Salute Utah to honor frontline responders and lift spirits across Utah on Thursday starting at 1 pm. Flight route to include all 4 Utah Veterans Homes.

Details: https://t.co/tv3YdbjgH6 #utpol #utahcovid19 #AmericaStrong pic.twitter.com/992WycJVIT
— Utah Veteran & Military Affairs (@Utah_DVMA) April 29, 2020

— Xoel Cardenas, KSL.com

Wednesday, 10:49am

Salt Lake County officials: Face coverings required at reopened businesses

Salt Lake County officials on Wednesday announced precautionary measures businesses must take as they move to reopen starting this Friday, May 1, when the state transitions to the next phase of its COVID-19 recovery plan. Restaurants, personal services, gyms and entertainment venues may all reopen under restrictions under the county's plan, but Salt Lake County Health Department Executive Director Gary Edwards said residents must wear face coverings at each location. The coverings can only be removed for activities like eating and active exercising, Edwards said. Read the full story here. — Graham Dudley, KSL.com

Wednesday, 09:19am

Costco to require shoppers to wear a mask

The warehouse wholesaler Costco is updating its shopping policy to require all members and employees to wear a face mask while in their stores starting on May 4. The wholesaler made the announcement on its website, stating that the new requirement comes to protect everyone while at the store. It requires “a mask or face covering that covers the mouth and nose at all times while at Costco.” The requirement follows CDC guidelines and does not include children under the age of 2 or individuals who are unable to wear a mask or face covering due to medical conditions. — Colby Walker, KSL NewsRadio

Wednesday, 09:01am

DMV to allow lobby visits by appointment starting Friday

Five office lobbies for the Utah Division of Motor Vehicles will reopen by appointment only on Friday, May 1. Utahns can make appointments to visit the DMV's Salt Lake, South Valley, Farmington, Ogden and Provo locations. Previously, the DMV offered only drive-thru service during the COVID-19 pandemic. Appointments can be scheduled on the DMV website. The agency still encourages Utahns to conduct their business online whenever possible. — Graham Dudley, KSL.com

Wednesday, 07:05am

US economy shrank at 4.8% rate last quarter as virus struck

The U.S. economy shrank at a 4.8% annual rate last quarter as the coronavirus pandemic shut down much of the country and began triggering a recession that will end the longest expansion on record. The Commerce Department says the gross domestic product, the total output of goods and services, posted a quarterly drop for the first time in six years. And it was the sharpest fall since the economy shrank at an 8.4% annual rate in the fourth quarter of 2008 in the depths of the Great Recession. — Associated Press

Wednesday, 07:03am

San Juan County teachers help Navajo students rise to unique homeschooling challenges

For many students, their classwork has gone mostly, if not entirely, online. But for hundreds of students in remote southeastern Utah, going online isn’t as easy as it sounds. “A big majority of them, probably 50% of our students, they don’t have running water or electricity at their house, let alone having Wi-Fi,” Mike Tuckfield explained in a virtual interview. The San Juan County School District has helped by providing hotspots and erecting two new Wi-Fi towers to help provide internet to more homes, but they can’t reach everyone. — Keira Farrimond, KSL TV

Wednesday, 06:59am

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

Starting Friday, Utah will transition from a state of high risk for COVID-19 to a state of moderate risk, Gov. Gary Herbert announced.

The Days of '47 Parade and all other events scheduled for Pioneer Day were canceled for 2020 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Utah’s number of COVID-19 cases increased by 110 from Monday, with four new reported deaths, according to the Utah Department of Health.

Read all of Tuesday's coronavirus coverage here.

Coronavirus updates: Governor Herbert suspends enforcement for expired vehicle registration

Updated - April 29, 2020 at 8:58 p.m. | Posted - April 29, 2020 at 7:08 a.m.

(Kristin Murphy, KSL, File)

Governor Herbert suspends enforcement for expired vehicle registration

Utah Department of Agriculture extends order allowing restaurants to repackage, resell raw prepackaged foods

Hogle Zoo to reopen Saturday

Remdesivir proves effective against coronavirus in US study

Salt Lake City police officer tests positive for coronavirus; 30 others quarantined

152 new COVID-19 cases reported Wednesday in Utah

Salute Utah Flyover across Utah to honor first responders, healthcare workers and other essential personnel

Salt Lake County officials: Face coverings required at reopened businesses

Costco to require shoppers to wear a mask

DMV to allow lobby visits by appointment starting Friday

US economy shrank at 4.8% rate last quarter as virus struck

San Juan County teachers help Navajo students rise to unique homeschooling challenges

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

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Coronavirus updates: Governor Herbert suspends enforcement for expired vehicle registration

Updated - April 29, 2020 at 8:58 p.m. | Posted - April 29, 2020 at 7:08 a.m.

(Kristin Murphy, KSL, File)

Governor Herbert suspends enforcement for expired vehicle registration

Trump says he won’t extend social distancing guidelines

Utah Department of Agriculture extends order allowing restaurants to repackage, resell raw prepackaged foods

Hogle Zoo to reopen Saturday

Remdesivir proves effective against coronavirus in US study

Salt Lake City police officer tests positive for coronavirus; 30 others quarantined

152 new COVID-19 cases reported Wednesday in Utah

Salute Utah Flyover across Utah to honor first responders, healthcare workers and other essential personnel

Salt Lake County officials: Face coverings required at reopened businesses

Costco to require shoppers to wear a mask

DMV to allow lobby visits by appointment starting Friday

US economy shrank at 4.8% rate last quarter as virus struck

San Juan County teachers help Navajo students rise to unique homeschooling challenges

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

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KSL.com coronavirus coverage

Most recent Utah stories

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What is snow farming?

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What is snow farming?

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