Here's where masks will still be required in Utah on April 10 and beyond


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SALT LAKE CITY — Utah's statewide mask mandate will expire at the end of Friday, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's time to completely ditch your masks.

There will still be several places in the state that do require masks.

HB294, which set the mask mandate end date on Saturday, also included language that continues mask usage for events of 50 or more people and schools. It also allows businesses the ability to require masks if they so choose.

As evidenced by Salt Lake City's announcement Wednesday, it's also possible for local governments to step in with their own mandates.

Most of the extended requirements have the same exceptions as the statewide order. That means you can remove a mask if you have an approved medical exemption or if you are eating or drinking.

So where will you be asked to wear a mask? Here's a running list of the places where masks are still required after the statewide mandate expires.

Communities

Mask guidelines won't change this weekend in communities that choose to extend their policies locally. That means their policies covers all businesses and other public gathering areas in the general area.

Grand County: HB294 "expressively protects" the right of the Southeast Utah Health Department and Grand County Commission's Joint Public Health Order that went into effect on March 16, Grand County officials reminded the public in a statement Wednesday. The county's order will remain in effect until at least June 15, or it could be removed sooner if the state reaches three key provisions.

The order could be lifted sooner if the state reaches a 14-day case rate of less than 191 per 100,000, a seven-day average COVID-19 intensive care unit utilization less than 15%, and more than 1.63 million prime doses of COVID-19 vaccine allocated to the state. So far, the state is short on the vaccine allocation portion of the criteria to lift the order, according to county officials.

Salt Lake City: Mayor Erin Mendenhall signed a proclamation on Wednesday that kept a mask mandate in place for all indoor and outdoor locations within Salt Lake City. The order goes into effect Saturday, after the statewide order expires, and will remain in effect until further notice.

Federal, state and county buildings and facilities

Federal buildings: Masks are required inside all federal buildings as a result of an executive order issued by President Joe Biden.

National Parks: Masks are still required in all National Park Service buildings and areas where social distancing is difficult.

State buildings: Gov. Spencer Cox announced last week that masks will still be required for state employees through at least May 31. He said the reason for that decision was to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread before employees could be fully vaccinated.

A spokesperson for the governor's office clarified that the order doesn't necessarily apply to visitors or customers, but pointed to a section in the order that states "the policy gives executive branch employers discretion to require nonemployees — including customers and visitors — to wear face masks, with some limited exceptions."

Some agencies, such as the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control with all state liquor and wine stores or the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, have already announced they will continue mask policies for everyone inside their building April 10 through the end of the governor's order.

Courthouses: Masks will still be required at all state and local courthouses across Utah.

Salt Lake County: While the county council announced Wednesday that its county-wide mandate will expire, masks will still be required at all county-owned and operated facilities on April 10 and beyond.

Houses of Worship

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Stake presidents are urged to consult with bishops and others to develop plans for how members of stakes in Utah can "return to in-person church meetings and activities for all organizations." That includes complying with all directives from state and local government agencies to follow COVID-19 safety guidelines such as masks and social distancing, church officials wrote in an update Thursday.

Utah wards were also directed to continue to broadcast Sunday worship services "as directed by the First Presidency and provide ways for certain members to administer the sacrament in their homes."

Schools

K-12 Education: HB294 included language stating that masks will be required at all K-12 schools through the remainder of the school year. Cox said the extension was included to ensure all students remained in school for in-person learning the rest of the school year.

Higher Education:The Daily Universe reported last month that BYU will continue its mask policy April 10 and beyond. The University of Utah announced Wednesday that it will also extend its mask requirement for the time being. Officials wrote the university was still reviewing safety plans for the fall semester.

Utah State University officials said in a statement Thursday that the university would continue its mask mandate through the spring semester. Weber State University also announced Thursday it would keep its mask requirement in place until at least June 25.

Transportation

In addition to federal buildings, Biden also issued a mask order regarding many modes of public transportation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in February began requiring masks on airplanes, buses, trains, taxis and rideshares, as well as at stations.

Those will still be in place on April 10, so that's why you won't see many changes here.

Salt Lake City International Airport: Masks will be required for anybody entering the airport.

"Only ticketed passengers, employees and those doing business at the airport are allowed to enter the facilities," airport officials tweeted Wednesday.

Utah Transit Authority:UTA announced Tuesday that its mask requirement will not change. Masks are required on all UTA rides.

Private businesses

Several private businesses have already alerted ahead of time whether their mask policies will continue.

Grocery stores: Many Utah grocery chains will continue to require masks after the statewide order ends. They include Dan's, Dick's, Fresh Market, Harmons, Lin's and Maceys. Officials for chains like Albertsons, Costco and Kroger (the parent company for Smith's) have also said they will require masks.

Healthcare providers:Intermountain Healthcare and University of Utah Health have each announced masks will still be required in their facilities statewide.

Restaurants: Some restaurants outside of Salt Lake City or Grand County have announced extensions of their policies. That includes Restaurant Morelia in Murray. David Gonzalez, the business's owner, told KSL TV on Monday he made the decision because "I want to be able to keep myself safe, my employees safe and my customers safe."

Real Salt Lake: Masks will be required for attending RSL games, the team announced Wednesday.

"Fans must wear masks while in the stadium, except while actively eating or drinking in designated areas where fans will maintain at least 6 feet of distance from other parties," the organization wrote in its COVID-19 safety protocol policy.

Retail: Big retailers Target and Walmart will continue to require masks in stores. Leslie's Pool Supplies in Draper, Murray and St. George will require masks, as well.

Ski Resorts: All 15 of Utah's ski resorts will continue to enforce mask policies through the remainder of the ski season, according to Ski Utah.

Utah Jazz: Prior to the Salt Lake City proclamation, the team announced on Monday it will still require face coverings at games on April 10 and beyond.

Did we miss something? Email web@ksl.com if there's a mask requirement that needs to be added to the list.

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Carter Williams is an award-winning reporter who covers general news, outdoors, history and sports for KSL.com.

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