Tooele County, Southeast Utah Announce Changes To COVID-19 Restrictions

TOOELE COUNTY, Utah – Tooele County officials announced Monday they will begin to remove restrictions on businesses, and shift from an urgent phase to a stabilization phase beginning May 1.

“Beginning May 1, 2020, local businesses will be able to resume services with protocols in place to provide protection to minimize COVID-19 exposure risks for employees and the public,” according to a press release.

Industry specific guidelines can be found here.

Officials are asking residents to use best public health practices, including maintaining 6 feet of distance between individuals, wearing a face mask in public, increased personal hygiene, and monitoring for symptoms.

“As always, the high-risk population (older individuals and those with underlying conditions, particularly immunocompromised individuals) should follow specific instructions for vulnerable populations as directed in Utah Leads 2.0,” the press release reads.

New guidelines were also recommended by the Southeast Utah Health Department Monday afternoon. In a press release, officials stated they have used the last five weeks to prepare hospitals in response to COVID-19.

“Now, due to collaborative capacity building and preparation, the health department, Moab Regional Hospital in Grand County, and Castleview Hospital in Carbon County are confident that they have sufficient testing services, medical supplies, personal protective equipment, and tracking capabilities to transition to the Moderate Risk Phase, with locally suggested lodging restrictions in place in Grand County,” the press release states.

While they do expect to see an increase of cases of COVID-19 as visitors enter the community, they said they believe they can care for individuals who become sick “if we are able to limit the number of people entering our community through lodging restrictions.”

Amendments are expected to begin May 1st, and include guidelines for restaurants and lodging. The order will be in effect until May 25th, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. and includes:

 

• FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS:

ALL COUNTIES: Indoor and outdoor dining is limited to 6 foot spacing between parties. Full details on the required cleaning processes and safety procedures can be found here

• CAMPING: 

  CARBON & EMERY COUNTIES: Removes restrictions, increased sanitation practices. Social distancing should still be practiced.

  GRAND COUNTY: Available for essential visitors, primary residents of Grand County, and primary residents of Green River, Utah. Social distancing should still be practiced and no camps consisting of more than 10 people, unless all are of the same immediate family.

•  OVERNIGHT LODGING:

  CARBON & EMERY COUNTIES: Removes restrictions with increased sanitation practices.

  GRAND COUNTY:

  Hotels, Motels, Bed & Breakfasts, Hostels

  Reservations allowed with occupancy limitations based on the size of the facility. A 72-Hour Rest Period is required based on scientific studies indicating that the COVID-19 virus can remain stable on certain surfaces for up to three (3) days (i.e., 72 hours).

  0-20 rooms:   full occupancy permitted.
  21-50 rooms: 20 rooms plus 50% of rooms 21-50 may be occupied.
  51+ rooms: 35 rooms plus 25% of rooms in excess of 51 may be occupied.

  ​Commercial Campgrounds, Recreational Vehicle (RV) Parks

  Permissible occupancy for RV and tent sites is 50% capacity and 30% for cabins.

  Short-term rentals (e.g. condos, nightly rentals, “AirBnB,” “VRBO,” etc.)

  Permissible occupancy is 100% capacity, with a 72-Hour Rest Period.

  Non-Commercial Camping (primitive camping, dispersed camping, etc.)

  In Grand County, non-commercial camping shall remain closed to non-residents until the National Parks are reopened.

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