On the Site:

CORONAVIRUS

Gov. Cox: No Statewide Mask Mandate For Last Week Of School

May 13, 2021, 11:16 AM | Updated: 11:46 pm

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Gov. Spencer Cox announced the statewide mask mandate for K-12 schools will end for a school’s final week this academic year.

Cox made the announcement during his weekly COVID-19 press conference on Thursday, saying it will allow students and teachers to see and speak with one another before the school year ends.

Districts and schools will still be allowed to enforce a mask mandate if they feel COVID-19 is spreading in a school.

“We believe that this is the right thing to do,” Cox said. “We believe that this is the prudent thing to do but I will say that masks are still encouraged and families and children will be able to make those decisions.”

“I think about kids in elementary school that haven’t been able to see their teacher’s face and their friends’ faces—that stuff matters. It’s really important,” Cox said. “We also have seen cases coming down and that was important as well that we’re not seeing the type of community spread that we had in the past.”

During the same press conference, the deputy director of the Utah Department of Health gave her advice.

”As a pediatrician, I would encourage every parent to send their child to school in a mask,” Dr. Michelle Hofmann said. “I also encourage every adult to still wear a mask.”

The governor said masks are still encouraged and he asked Utahns to respect local authorities’ decisions.

Most public health orders in the state ended on May 4, when the requirements set forth in Utah’s COVID-19 “endgame” bill were met.

However, the mask mandate for K-12 schools remained in effect.

The Utah Department of Health issued State Public Health Order 2021-11 on May 4, which required “continued, routine testing of participants in high school sports and other extracurricular activities and also requires face coverings to be worn in K-12 schools.”

It was originally scheduled to end June 15 or the last day of a school’s academic year, whichever came first.

KSL 5 TV Live

Coronavirus

FILE - COVID-19 antigen home tests indicating a positive result are photographed in New York, April...

Associated Press

More free COVID-19 tests from the government are available for home delivery through the mail

Americans can order more free COVID-19 tests online for home delivery.

8 days ago

FILE - Doses of the anti-viral drug Paxlovid are displayed in New York, Aug. 1, 2022. The COVID-19 ...

Amanda Seitz, Associated Press

COVID-19 treatments to enter the market with a hefty price tag

The COVID-19 treatments millions of have taken for free from the federal government will enter the private market next week with a hefty price tag.

1 month ago

Toddlers dance during play time at Living Water Child Care and Learning Center as center director J...

Associated Press

Child care programs just lost thousands of federal dollars. Families, providers scramble to cope

After two years of receiving federal subsidies, 220,000 child care programs across the country were cut off from funding Saturday Utah

2 months ago

Thomas Perlmann, secretary of the Nobel Assembly, right, announces the winner of the 2023 Nobel Pri...

David Keyton and Mike Corder

Nobel in medicine goes to 2 scientists whose work enabled creation of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19

Two scientists have won the Nobel Prize in medicine for discoveries that enabled the development of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 and could be used in the future to create other shots.

2 months ago

child in doctor's office...

Mike Anderson

Flu, COVID cases expected to rise in Utah

The number of COVID-19 diagnoses continues to stay above what we saw over the summer but now some doctors are starting to see early signs of the flu as well.

2 months ago

President Joe Biden in State Dining Room at the White House...

Associated Press

Biden has gotten the updated COVID-19 vaccine and the annual flu shot, the White House says

The White House says President Joe Biden has gotten the updated COVID-19 vaccine and the annual flu shot.

2 months ago

Sponsored Articles

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

Users display warnings about the use of artificial intelligence (AI), access to malicious software ...

Les Olson

How to Stay Safe from Cybersecurity Threats

Read our tips for reading for how to respond to rising cybersecurity threats in 2023 and beyond to keep yourself and your company safe.

Design mockup half in white and half in color of luxury house interior with open plan living room a...

Lighting Design

Lighting Design 101: Learn the Basics

These lighting design basics will help you when designing your home, so you can meet both practical and aesthetic needs.

an antler with large horns int he wilderness...

Three Bear Lodge

Yellowstone in the Fall: A Wildlife Spectacle Worth Witnessing

While most people travel to this park in the summer, late fall in Yellowstone provides a wealth of highlights to make a memorable experience.

a diverse group of students raising their hands in a classroom...

Little Orchard Preschool

6 Benefits of Preschool for Kids

Some of the benefits of preschool for kids include developing independence, curiosity, and learning more about the world.

Gov. Cox: No Statewide Mask Mandate For Last Week Of School