Park City Businesses Prepare For Mandatory Mask Mandate

PARK CITY, Utah – Mandatory face mask mandates go into effect at 12:01 a.m. Saturday in Salt Lake and Summit counties, and businesses along Park City’s Main Street spent the day getting ready.

Not all businesses agreed with the order, but the vast majority seemed to support it.

Businesses were heartened to see the steady stream of crowds along Main Street Friday and none of them wanted to step back into the orange risk level — or worse, which forced most customers away.

John Flinchum, director of the Willie Holdman Gallery, said “Oh, it’s a big relief, yeah. Normally this is such a thriving environment up here and so to see it coming back is just really nice.”

Flinchum said weeks of shutdown devastated the area.

“Main Street two months ago was a ghost town. So now what we’re seeing is people are out and I’m just happy to see people shopping and supporting local business,” he said.

Just down the street at Java Cow, Rebecca Williams agreed that masks were the right move.

“All of my staff wear masks every day. Customer-wise, it’s going to be interesting to see what the reaction is,” she said.

While many shops were posting signs, others were making masks available. Willams said the cow is still looking at some options, but she added it’s necessary not just for business.

“We think it’s definitely necessary with the rise of cases going on in the state,” she said.

Business owners and managers told KSL the mask order was essential or they could go back to empty streets, whether by another order shutting down shops or a potential workplace outbreak.

“I don’t perceive this being a forever thing and I think we’re going to get through this just fine,” Flinchum said.

The order does allow police or deputies to cite violators. Park City police said they were waiting for the Summit County Council’s direction on how heavily it will be enforced.

The order does include exceptions for wearing masks for children younger than two, certain health conditions and while exercising.

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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.

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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.