State Economic Task Force Releases Three-Phase Coronavirus Recovery Plan
Mar 24, 2020, 6:32 PM | Updated: 10:11 pm
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The state of Utah has released a new battle plan in the fight against the novel coronavirus, saying it is the answer to health and economic recovery from the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 16-page plan is called “Utah Leads Together” and includes three phases – urgency, stabilization and recovery.
“This is the most comprehensive plan to stop the spread of COVID-19 virus of any state in America today,” said Governor Gary Herbert during a virtual press conference with state, community and business leaders. “It will lead us to economic recovery sooner than later. I’m very optimistic about it.”
State's Economic Response Task Force
LIVE: Gov. Herbert's Economic Response Task Force is presenting its three-phase plan for the state's economy.
Posted by KSL 5 TV on Tuesday, March 24, 2020
The urgent phase, which started March 16, can last eight to 12 weeks. The stabilization phase 10-14 weeks and the recovery phase 8-10 weeks.
These dates mean the urgent phase Utahns are in right now could continue into May or even June, which is nowhere near the Easter date President Donald Trump is talking about to reopen the country.
“[Easter] would be a miracle if we could do that, and I believe in miracles maybe that would happen, but our timeline is based on deep-dive analysis, not something that we pulled out of the sky. This has been the work of many smart people over the last week,” he said. “We think this is a realistic timeline that you can count on, again, if everyone participates we think this is realistic.”
For it to work leaders said Utahns need to follow health guidelines, stay engaged with the economy and assist those in need.
“The history of Utah shows that we are at our best when facing adversity,” said Derek Miller, president & CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber. “This plan that we have put together will allow all of us to put that heritage into action and turn an economic setback into an economic comeback.”
Coronavirus Resources
- Have you or a family member been affected by coronavirus issues in Utah? KSL TV wants to hear from you. Contact KSL by emailing social@ksl.com.
- What is COVID-19? Here’s What You Need To Know To Stay Healthy
- What We Know And Don’t Know About The Coronavirus
- Four Common Coronavirus Questions Answered
- The latest coronavirus stories from KSL TV can be found at our Staying Safe: Coronavirus section.
- Your Life Your Health: How can parents prepare their home, children against coronavirus?
How Do I Prevent It?
The CDC has some simple recommendations, most of which are the same for preventing other respiratory illnesses or the flu:
- Avoid close contact with people who may be sick
- Avoid touching your face
- Stay home when you are sick
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. Always wash your hands with soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
The CDC does not recommend wearing a face mask respirator to protect yourself from coronavirus unless a healthcare professional recommends it.
How To Get Help
If you’re worried you may have COVID-19, you can contact the Utah Coronavirus Information Line at 1-800-456-7707 to speak to trained healthcare professionals. You can also use telehealth services through your healthcare providers.
Additional Resources
If you see evidence of PRICE GOUGING, the Utah Attorney General’s Office wants you to report it. Common items in question include toilet paper, water, hand sanitizer, certain household cleaners, and even cold medicine and baby formula. Authorities are asking anyone who sees price gouging to report it to the Utah Division of Consumer Protection at 801-530-6601 or 800-721-7233. The division can also be reached by email at consumerprotection@utah.gov.