Summit County Council voted Thursday to join the rest of the state and go to the yellow risk level for COVID-19.
The decision takes effect Friday, just three weeks after the county lifted the Stay At Home Order put into place in March, which also ordered businesses, except essential ones, to close.
When Summit County lifted that order on May first, people were allowed to move about the county and most businesses were allowed to reopen if they followed strict protocols to ensure the safety of employees and customers.
Then last week, Governor Herbert went one step further, declaring most of the state would move to the yellow phase effective May 16th. Summit County, Wasatch County, Grand County, Salt Lake City and West Valley City still stayed at orange. Summit County officials said they wanted to see more data about COVID-19 cases lessening before they loosened restrictions. Council Chair Doug Clyde said Thursday that over the last week the infection rate in Summit County had continued to decline, which justified the decision to move to the yellow phase.
Summit County Council member Kim Carson said it put the responsibility on citizens, which is what they’ve been asking for. “Unfortunately there’s been too many cases of people not exhibiting personal responsibility," said Carson. “I hope people begin to take this a little more seriously as we open up. Think about your elders and other at-risk individuals when you’re out and about. Please consider wearing the mask - don’t consider wearing the mask. Just wear them. Hopefully we can keep our numbers down. We’ve done a good job so far. Our data looks good. That’s why we’re comfortable making this move, but it could turn around pretty quickly if people don’t continue to take those precautions.”
Council member Glenn Wright said the county’s economy was at stake. “This order is hopefully going to protect both the health and economy in Summity County,” said Wright. “If our numbers go south on increased incidents and health issues with COVID-19 and we get a reputation for being an unhealthy place to visit, our economy will go in the same direction.”
At the Yellow Risk Level, private social gatherings are limited to no more than 50 people. No mass gatherings and large-scale special events are allowed. Public showers, steam rooms, dry saunas, hot tubs, locker rooms, facials in spas/salons and high school and club sports are also allowed.
Summit County Health Director Rich Bullough told the council that if the county sees an increase in COVID-19 cases as a result of opening up the economy, the governor would support a county’s data-driven decision to go back to orange.
The new county health order is in effect until September first. Council members said they are looking at the COVID-19 case information daily, and they will revisit the health order every 14 days.
Wasatch County announced Thursday evening it was moving to the yellow phase effective immediately.
