On Friday Utah Governor Gary Herbert unveiled an updated version of the state’s Lead Together Plan. The state is aiming to move forward to phase two of the plan gradually lifting some restrictions by May 1.
Utah Governor Gary Herbert says the Utah Leads Together 2.0 plan give a pathway to move from the urgency phase to stabilization phase in the state’s response to the COVID-19. Herbert says they’re close to that second phase and if trends continue as people continue to follow guidelines the state may begin gradually re-opening parts of the economy by the first of May.
“Specifically, I'm hopeful that by early May we can—with strict social distancing—begin to open up sit down dining,” Herbert continued. “I’m hopeful that by the first part of May that we can resume, as clinically appropriate, elective surgeries. I'm hopeful that by the first part of May—if we continue to adhere to social distancing guidelines and sanitation protocols—we can open up our gyms to the public. All this again depends upon continued adherence to our ‘Stay Safe, Stay Home’ directive.”
Lt. Governor Spencer Cox said what the state has done so far is working, and they feel confident in their comprehensive plan moving forward. Cox added that residents must continue to follow health guidelines to move Utah in the next phases of the pandemic response.
“So that we don't have another spike, so that we don't revert back. It doesn't work if we forget everything we've learned during this time and we spread this virus around more, we’ll end up backtracking,” Cox explained. “That's what we don't want to happen. So just as Utahns, as one of only eight states without a statewide directive, came together to follow the governor's guidelines; this is critical that we follow the guidelines in the plan moving forward so that we don't backslide.”
Senate President Stuart Adams described the coming changes are not relaxing social distancing but make it sustainable.
“You might go out to eat, but you'll keep maybe a 6 foot distance at the table you're at, or you may dine outside,” Adams said. “Or if you go to work you may wear a mask and again try to use the separations that we've always taught. Sanitation may actually be heightened, but I don't see us actually reducing social distancing. I actually see that we're going to make it smarter, more functional for businesses.”
Cox says Medical care entities in the state such as Intermountain Health Care, University of Utah Health and the Utah Department of Health are continually being consulted as the state moves forward with plans.
“The point of everything we've been doing is to not overwhelm the health care system and as long as that is not happening, we do need to move into some of these economic pieces,” Cox continued. “We had a good conversation with the president of the health care system at the University of Utah just yesterday who they are suggesting we are able to move in because we do have so much capacity.”
A link to the full plan can be found here.
