I dont like wearing masks, Bingham said. At the same time, stores and businesses also have the option to not require masks anymore, and St. George News has heard from both readers who say they will be looking for stores that dont require masks and other readers who say that stores that dont require masks will lose their business. signed by the state Legislature and signed by the governor has forced an end to the mandate that was first enacted by the previous Utah governor, Gary Herbert. A bill signed by the state Legislature and signed by the governor has forced an end to the mandate that was first enacted by the previous Utah governor, Gary Herbert, in November; however, that bill still allows businesses to continue their own policies requiring masks in their stores. Mask mandates to money: Write-in candidate challenges Becky Dunn for School Boar St. Masks no longer required: Federal judge strikes down mandate for air travel, Utah among 21 states to file suit against Feds to halt COVID mask mandate. That is no longer the case, as this week Iron County surged ahead of Washington County as far as new daily infections of COVID-19. She said she is standing behind her children and believes adults should be taking responsibility for their children. Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. The governors office confirmed any enforcement would be on the local level. Utah will stop daily COVID case counts, close test sites in - reddit Where: 1930 W. Sunset Blvd. Team members and vendors at all Lins stores will continue to wear masks and we urge our guests to wear masks while shopping with us.. Cox said hes heard from school district leaders for some time about lifting the school mandate. Both were sworn in to their respective positions earlier this month. Southern Utah coronavirus count (as of Oct. 13, 2020, seven-day average in parentheses), Positive COVID-19 tests: 4,682 (56.1 new infections per day in seven days, rising), Current Utah seven-day average: 1,182 (rising), Southern Utah counties in high transmission level (masks required, gatherings to 10 or less): Garfield (18.1% positive tests, 472.4 per 100,000 case rate), Southern Utah counties in moderate transmission level (masks recommended, gatherings to 25 or less): Washington (12.6% positive tests, 327.9 per 100,000 case rate), Iron (8.3% positive tests, 153.5 per 100,000 case rate), Southern Utah counties in low transmission level (masks recommended, gatherings to 50 or less): Beaver (7.1% positive tests, 197.6 per 100,000 case rate), Kane (6.5% positive tests, 90.8 per 100,000 case rate). They were protesting Gov. Once dismissed by cynics as a "conspiracy theory the New World Order is rapidly becoming a reality. 10PM: SLC mayor clarifies city's new mask order . That order was renewed as recently as May 4. This includes those who have received both vaccine shots, as it is still not conclusive whether those vaccinated can still spread the virus or not. The House of Representatives confirmed that Rep. Mark Strong, R-Bluffdale, had tested positive. UPDATED: State ends school mask mandate statewide as - St George News SALT LAKE CITY The Utah House of Representatives voted Friday to overturn mask mandates in Salt Lake and Summit counties. St George Art Festival; Historic St. George LIVE! We had more parents bring thank you notes and treats to our schools than we had students go home with their parents for not wearing a mask, Dunham said. Five days ago, it was announced masks were required for shopping in-store at all Walmart and Sam's Club locations across the country to reduce the spread of COVID-19. ", Follow Joshua Bote and K. Sophie Will on Twitter: @joshua_bote and @ksophiewill, COVID-19: How Herd Immunity works, why you still need to wear a mask. There is no mask mandate at this time, cases have been climbing up so who knows the future. David Heaton, spokesperson for the Southwest Utah Public Health Department, said the local health department is opting to just follow guidelines from the state at this point. Our move was just independent and trying to do what was best for our community based upon our own data and considering the rest of the state mandates had been lifted on Tuesday, May 4th, Dunham said, adding that when the Washington County district made its move last Friday, it shouldnt have been a surprise in the governors office. The House of Representatives voted 45-29 in favor of Senate Joint Resolution 3, overturning the public health orders issued by local health departments in an effort to combat the surge in COVID-19 cases brought on by the omicron variant. Where: Southwest Utah Public Health Department Panguitch office, 601 Center St., Panguitch. Corporate author : UNESCO Person as author : Schneegans, Susan [editor] Person as author : Lewis, Jake [editor] Person as author : Straza, Tiffany [editor] Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. Those without email addresses or unable to make reservations online can get help at a specialized hotline at, To get alerts for when new vaccine appointments are added with the Southwest Utah Public Health Department, text SWUHEALTH to. Rep. Ashlee Matthews, D-Kearns, said her constituents wanted a mandate. St. George Regional Hospital, St. George, Utah, March 13, 2021 | Photo by Chris Reed, St. George News . "I am dedicated to keeping our community open and our residents healthy. Chris Reed serves as an editor and reporter for St. George News, where has been honored with several awards from the Society of Professional Journalists for his work, including first-place accolades. . This week, Cedar City has had more new infections on a daily basis than St. George despite having less than half of its southern neighbors population. ST. GEORGE On Saturday, the statewide mask mandate requiring Utah residents to wear masks or face coverings when physical distancing is not possible comes to an end. Enter your email below to start! Intermountain Healthcare issues updated visitor guidelines including And I do want to remind everyone that your rights do not come from the government, and therefore the government cant take away something because it didnt give them to you, says Gil Almquist, the Washington County Commission Chair. Southern Utah is closing in on its 5,000th person to be infected with the virus since March, with 908 people presently infected with the virus in the five counties, according to the Utah Department of Health. It wont be a case anymore of a county needing to request the governor for a move to green as much as it will be where the county is in regard to the infection rate and the percent of local coronavirus tests that come back presently. Dr. Angela Dunn, the executive director of Salt Lake County's health department, urged residents to mask up regardless of any mandates. St. George News has made every effort to ensure the information in this story is accurate at the time it was written. ST. GEORGE On Saturday, the statewide mask mandate requiring Utah residents to wear masks or face coverings when physical distancing is not possible comes to an end. We are recommending the same as the state masks when the group is over 50 and individual businesses, organizations, agencies are being allowed to set their own policy, Heaton said. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. KSL TV + Show 1 more video . Last Friday, the Washington County School Districts board told its teachers and staff that it would, no longer be enforcing the school mask mandate, that had still been in effect even after the states overall mask mandate ended. While many of Pritzker's vaccine mandates on people like college staff and students and K-12 staff have since been lifted, Pritzker defended the mandated shots. The resolution states lockdowns have been shown to have negative impacts on economies and individuals mental health.. Would you like to have the day's news stories delivered right to your inbox every evening? ST. GEORGE The Washington County School District is no longer requiring students and staff to wear face coverings inside school campuses. Southern Utah mayors, hospital leaders back COVID-19 mask mandate We are at very high rates of COVID spread and we are hopeful to have the Omicron variant of the virus behind us soon. Vaccines now available for those 12 and over. Another area not seeing any change by the state masks mandate ending are schools. Local . The CDC released new guidance for those who have been fully vaccinated that said if someone has been fully inoculated against the virus, the time has come where they can truly just about throw away the mask and go back to the way things were before the pandemic began. Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2021, all rights reserved. We have one of the worst outbreaks in the country, and that is unacceptable.. Special Report. He is the proud father of two boys, his youngest a champion against both autism and Type 1 diabetes. Nearby Clark County School District, which includes Las Vegas and Mesquite, announced their plans to continue requiring masks in schools on Tuesday. 5PM: Utah's statewide mask mandate ends tomorrow. Governor said he will sign bill that ends statewide mask mandate on Reservations: Use vaccinefinder.org to find a location near you. CDC guidance for wearing masks website Clean and Disinfect Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. A weeks-oldanti-mask protest in Utah has become the source of online backlash after a TV news report detailing the rally went viral on social media. Enter your email below to start! Smart says new 1st-down rule good start to shortening games SALT LAKE CITY The statewide mask mandate will be lifted by April 10 under a bill that passed the Utah State Legislature in the final hours of the 2021 session and Gov. This order takes effect on Friday, July 30. Must register in advance online for an appointment time. One of the world's last cities with a mask mandate plans to drop it The mandate was originally set to expire on Dec. 10 but has been extended until at least Jan. 8. He has steadily moved east after growing up among the Valley girls of Southern Californias San Fernando Valley. The new law does not include ending the mask mandate at the states schools. signed by the state Legislature and signed by the governor has forced an end to the mandate that was first enacted by the previous Utah governor, Gary Herbert. However, as the situation and science surrounding the coronavirus continues to evolve, its possible that some data has changed. Hes accurate in that superintendents have been talking to him about this for some time. I will be by their side and respect their choices to not wear masks, Nay said. "In spite of the misguided actions of the Legislature today, please continue to wear good-quality masks while in public. Written by Porter Huntsman . St. George Regional Hospital/Intermountain Healthcare: Where: 400 East Campus St. George Regional Hospital, 544 S. 400 East, St. George. During their City Council meeting last week, Ivins Mayor Chris Hart said it is likely the city will determine at next weeks meeting what to do with its City Hall mask requirement, and similar decisions are expected shortly in other Southern Utah localities. Otherwise, click to register. "Its very frustrating to have the tools taken away that really impact our ability to keep our schools open, keep our kids safe, keep our learning going and really pay attention to our educators who are just at the breaking point.". Many of the reactions to the report criticized the demonstrators, calling them "entitled" and"proudly hostile," while others likened it to "a straightparody"fit for a"Saturday Night Live" sketch. Chris Reed serves as an editor and reporter for St. George News, where has been honored with several awards from the Society of Professional Journalists for his work, including first-place accolades. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. site allows people to look specifically for sites within 25 miles with the Pfizer or other specific vaccines in stock. Washington County School District Director of Communications Steve Dunham expressed frustration at protesters, calling it "so dang selfish" that people wouldn't wear a mask in an effort to protect others. The Utah Education Association, the state's largest teachers union, said it was frustrated by the vote. In split vote, Iron County School District board decides to keep following mask Group of 25 anti-mandate protesters march in Downtown St. George, burn masks, Ammon Bundy visits St. George to talk Peoples Rights, civil disobedience. COVID-19/Coronavirus Travel Information in Utah | Visit Utah Spencer Cox indicated he will sign. "Voting to remove this mandate does not remove an individuals ability to wear a mask. On the state level, where a month ago the seven-day daily average of new infections was less than 400 , it is now 1,182 per day. For those who have already been vaccinated, the Centers for Disease Control announced new guidance Thursday afternoon that those who are fully vaccinated no longer need to wear masks or practice social distancing indoors or outdoors. Masks will still be required. mask mandate - St George News Would you like to have the day's news stories delivered right to your inbox every evening? WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) The Navajo Nation has rescinded a mask mandate that's been in effect since the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, officials announced Friday, fulfilling a pledge. Proof of residency may be required, though a person does not have to reside in the county they are receiving the vaccine. Hofmann said she told her 17-year-old boy and 15-year-old girl about the pending move Wednesday night. Initially, Garfield County is the one local county being placed in the high category, while Washington and Iron counties are considered at the moderate level. Schools and religious institutions are exempt from the social gathering restriction, as are indoor gatherings where everyone is wearing masks. As omicron spreads on campus, local universities and colleges face COVID-19 in i SUU to consider vaccine mandate, updates COVID guidance before start of semester, BYU announces mask mandate for fall classes. I dont think anybody should be forced, to have to do anything, Im wearing a mask by choice because I just got out of the hospital myself, says Jacobs. ST. GEORGE Gov. We are better than this.". Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2021, all rights reserved. During their City Council meeting last week, Ivins Mayor Chris Hart said it is likely the city will determine at next weeks meeting what to do with its City Hall mask requirement, and similar decisions are expected shortly in other Southern Utah localities. Those without email addresses or unable to make reservations online can get help at a specialized hotline at, To get alerts for when new vaccine appointments are added with the Southwest Utah Public Health Department, text SWUHEALTH to, To receive a free ride to and from a vaccine appointment through Lyft, call, Busineses, organizations and religious institutions can have a mobile vaccination clinic come to their campus free of charge by going to either. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Posted BY: Teresa | NwoReport The judge overseeing the Georgia special grand jury weighed in on the crazy forewoman who went on a media tour last week. The protest, which drew hundreds to the. Because it is a joint resolution, Governor Spencer Cox has no signature or veto power and it carries the force of law under a bill the legislature passed last year. ST. GEORGE Gov. We invite you to check the resources below for up-to-date information and resources. St. George Tourism St. George Hotels Bed and Breakfast St. George St. George Holiday Rentals He started his journalism career as a sports reporter and editor in Southern California where he once compared shoe sizes with Shaquille O'Neal and exchanged mix tapes with members of the Los Angeles Kings. Would you like to have the day's news stories delivered right to your inbox every evening? FILE - A sign urging safety measures during the coronavirus pandemic is displayed in Teesto, Ariz., on the Navajo Nation on Feb. 11, 2021. Were referring to this as a circuit breaker. Categories. We look at its origins, how it operates and how it affects the lives of everyone. And the local health district is at a loss of why that is. We have 60, 70 or more people so thats certainly a component for us, Pettit said, referring to a statement by Associated Foods that says: Associated Foods feels it is imperative that masks be worn in our stores until our team and partners have had the opportunity to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Southwest Utah Public Health Department Kanab office, Southwest Utah Public Health Department Panguitch office, Southwest Utah Public Health Department Beaver Office, 400 East Campus St. George Regional Hospital, Use vaccinefinder.org to find a location near you, To file complaint about non-compliance with mask mandate, Utah Food Bank expands St. George distribution center, dedicates facility to longtime volunteer, Survey: Springdale residents open to denser housing option as planning commission considers zone proposal, We want to be heard: Washington County students organize anti-censorship group after books removed from school, Paid summer internships available across Utah's public lands, Gabby Petito's family files amended lawsuit against Moab police, 3 agencies combine to help rapeller who fell in mountains above Snow Canyon. WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) The Navajo Nation has rescinded a mask mandate thats been in effect since the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, officials announced Friday, fulfilling a pledge that new tribal President Buu Nygren made while campaigning for the office. Where: Southwest Utah Public Health Department St. George office, 620 S. 400 East, St George. COVID-19 infections remain high in Southern Utah, but doctors say mask Although about 35,000 students attend public schools in the county, administrators say only six of their students refused to wear a mask and went home with their parents. "When George Floyd was saying 'I can't breathe' and then he died, and now we're wearing a mask, and we say 'I can't breathe,' but we're being forced to wear it anyway," said resident Shauna Kinville to KTVX. And Just Like That, Natural Immunity is No Longer a Conspiracy Theory St. George Regional Hospital/Intermountain Healthcare: Where: 400 East Campus St. George Regional Hospital, 544 S. 400 East, St. George. This effectively makes masks required in all restaurants that have 10 or more people inside. Gov. Statewide mask mandate ending, but in most places masks will still be "Forcing masks on our children is child abuse," the man, identified as Eric Moutsos, later said at the protest, The Spectrum reported.