CORONAVIRUS
Utah Governor Orders Travel Declaration Form When Entering State
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Utah Gov. Gary Herbert on Wednesday announced an order requiring travel declarations from adults entering the state.
The governor made the announcement during the state’s daily COVID-19 press conference.
Anyone older than 18 years old traveling to Utah as their final destination from either through the Salt Lake City International Airport or coming in through Utah’s freeways will have to complete a travel declaration starting Friday.
The order will go into effect on Friday. The travel declaration will ask individuals if they have been tested for COVID-19 and if they are experiencing any symptoms of coronavirus. It also asks where they have recently been traveling.
— Gov. Gary Herbert (@GovHerbert) April 8, 2020
The declaration, he explained, will include questions about if they have been tested, had symptoms and where they have recently traveled. Utah Department of Transportation executive director Carlos Braceras said the agency has determined nine different entry point locations on freeways, such as I-15 in Arizona and Idaho.
Drivers will receive a text message through the state emergency system upon entering the state with a link to a declaration form, he said.
Those already in the state should stay put, and if they recreate, they should do so in the areas around their homes, Herbert said.
“We have Easter weekend coming up,” he said. “That’s a traditional time for people to vacation. It’s a traditional time for spring break for the young people.”
He said people want to be outdoors as the weather is warming, and “that’s OK.”
“We just don’t want you to congregate in groups,” Herbert said.
The governor noted that Utah’s “Stay Safe, Stay Home” directive is still in place, and residents who go outdoors should stay in their regions. He also reminded Utahns to only travel if it’s essential.
“Non-essential travel is prohibited,” he said.
Essential travel includes seeking medical services as needed, going to the grocery store or picking up food, and commuting to and from work if teleworking isn’t available.
