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SALT LAKE CITY — Fast-changing COVID-19 rules, guidelines and restrictions can be confusing and difficult to navigate in month nine of the worldwide pandemic.
Earlier this week, the state of Utah upended its previous COVID-19 color-coded restriction system and replaced it with a new transmission index, labeling counties as either low, moderate or high areas of transmission.
Six counties in the state, including Salt Lake County, were placed in the high level of transmission group and 15 others were placed in the moderate level — which is under the same rules as those in the high level until Oct. 29.
In an effort to clear up confusion, the Salt Lake County Health Department announced on Wednesday that event organizers with prescheduled events through Oct. 28 can proceed as planned, so long as organizers and venues ensure the former yellow guidelines will be met.
Such guidelines include:
- Enforcing face coverings at all times
- Ensuring as much social distancing as possible
- Excluding staff and patrons who exhibit symptoms of COVID-19
- Taking other mitigation measures, such as staggered entry times, prepackaged concessions and avoiding lines
Events scheduled on Oct. 29 and after should adhere to the new requirement listed in the state’s new high transmission index, which says all participants from different households must maintain at least a 6-foot distance from other patrons.
Individuals may submit exception requests for the social distancing requirement to the health department starting next week, after which Mayor Jenny Wilson will review them.
Health officials noted in state guidelines, that “exceptions will be rare and are strongly discouraged.”
Organizers applying for an exception must submit a completed COVID-19 event management template from the state, rational reasons why the event or gathering cannot ensure social distancing and what other steps the venue will take to mitigate COVID-19 transmission with patrons closer than 6-feet.
Granted exceptions can be revoked at any time and for any reason including noncompliance, an outbreak associated with the venue and worsening COVID-19 transmission in the county, health officials stated.
As of Wednesday, Utah had a total of 88,963 confirmed cases with 4,460 total hospitalizations and 527 total deaths from the disease. A total of 65,472 Utah COVID-19 cases are now considered recovered, according to the state health department.
