Salt Lake County To Discuss Mask Mandate Friday

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – With only days to go until a statewide mask mandate ends, Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson asked residents to continue wearing masks and urged businesses to require face coverings as leaders planned a discussion on further restrictions in the county.

Wilson said masks will still be required at all county-owned facilities even after the Utah mandate is lifted Saturday.

“Science and the CDC agree, we need to continue mask-wearing until we get further along in this pandemic,” Wilson said in a video statement posted on Twitter.

A statement from Mayor Wilson about the importance of continuing to wear face coverings to keep our community safe. #slco pic.twitter.com/j9ATxYOltB

— Mayor Jenny Wilson (@SLCoMayor) April 6, 2021

Businesses will still be allowed to make their own requirements for customers and schools will still require all staff and students to wear masks.

Wilson said masks are still important in the fight against COVID-19.

“Let’s continue to wear masks and businesses, please do the same. At most, only a third of our residents have received the vaccine or have immunity to date and our kids won’t be able to see the vaccine for some time,” she said.

The Salt Lake County Council will meet on Friday to discuss the possibility of a county-wide mask mandate.

Coronavirus Resources

Have you or a family member been affected by coronavirus issues in Utah? KSL wants to hear from you. Contact KSL by emailing social@ksl.com.

Click here to sign up for a vaccine and here to see how Utah’s vaccine rollout is progressing.

The latest COVID-19 stories from KSL can be found here.

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 recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.