Summit County

Mail-in ballots were already standard in Utah, but on Tuesday it will be the only option for voters participating in the state primary election, among a host of other changes prompted by COVID-19.

Registered Republicans and Democrats in Summit County and Republicans in Wasatch County have already received their ballots by mail. Democrats in Wasatch County have not received ballots as there are no contested races.

Saturday marked the beginning of Summit County’s mandatory mask order, meaning that people may now get a ticket for not wearing face coverings in public places. The order is intended to slow the spread of COVID-19 while allowing local businesses to remain open.

Summit County Health Director Rich Bullough told KPCW that although numbers like hospitalizations and deaths in the county were good compared to other parts of the state, he was alarmed by several other trends that were heading in the wrong direction.

Today on the Local News Hour:

( 00:01)  Kent Jones Summit County Clerk  talks about tomorrows primary elections. 

(  14:39)  Park City Mountain's Chief Operating Officer Mike Goar with updates about the reopening of the resort July 2nd.

( 29.24) Rich Bullough Director of Summit County Health Department updates us about the mandatory mask mandate issued by Goveneror Gary Herbert on Friday. 

  [This post as been updated with the correct audio.]

Summit County’s request for a mandatory mask order was approved by the county council on Friday. The order requires people in the county to wear a mask while indoors and at public gatherings.

Summit County requested the authority to issue a mandatory mask order from Utah Gov. Gary Herbert’s administration on Thursday, citing a nine-day increase in positive cases in the county and a transmission rate nearly twice that of the state’s goal.

Utah Governor Gary Herbert issued an executive order on Wednesday requiring masks at all state-run facilities while resisting calls for a statewide mask order.

Expressing concern about the recent spike in COVID-19 cases in Utah, Herbert said most of the state will remain at the yellow - or low risk - level for at least another two weeks and masks must be worn at all state buildings. 

Utah has seen a dramatic spike in COVID-19 cases since the state began reopening. The increase in cases has state and local officials looking at possible changes to health and safety guidelines to help stem the spread of the virus.

In a June 19 memo to state and local health officials, state epidemiologist Dr. Angela Dunn warned that if current daily infection rates continue across the state, conventional ICU capacity at many hospitals will be overwhelmed by early July. 

Summit County officials hosted a webinar on Tuesday evening to discuss the future of trail access in the Snyderville Basin. Access to Summit County’s extensive trail system has been a touchy subject for many locals with increased use causing congestion and other issues on the trails.

The Park City Farmers Market opens for business on Wednesday at the Silver King Lot in Park City. The weekly market will open an hour early for seniors at 11am and the general public will be able to shop from 12pm-5pm every Wednesday until the market closes in October.