Salt Lake County Health Order 2022-01
Salt Lake County Health Order 2022-01
Salt Lake County Health Order 2022-01
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In the matter of: : PUBLIC HEALTH ORDER OF
: CONSTRAINT
COVID-19 Pandemic :
: **AMENDED**
:
: Order No. 2022-1
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: Date: January 7, 2022
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:
:
Under Utah Code Section 26A-1-114(1)(d), local health departments are vested with
authority to establish measures as may be necessary to promote and protect public health and control
the spread of disease. Consistent therewith, Utah Code Section 26A-1-106(2) provides that
“[r]egulations or standards relating to public health or environmental health services adopted or
established by a local health department may not be less restrictive than [Utah Department of Health
orders].”
COVID-19 is a contagion that spreads from person to person. The Executive Director of the
Salt Lake County Health Department recognizes the ongoing need for Salt Lake County and its
residents to continue to work cooperatively and proactively to slow the spread of COVID-19 and to
address the myriad challenges COVID-19 has created.
On November 26, 2021, the World Health Organization (“WHO”) declared the new COVID
B.1.1.529 variant, named Omicron, a variant of concern due to mutations and preliminary evidence
suggesting an increased risk of reinfection and spread across the world, including to the United
States.
The WHO and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) have advised
all individuals to take measures to reduce their risk of COVID-19, especially the Delta and Omicron
variants, including proven public health and social measures such as wearing well-fitting masks,
hand hygiene, physical distancing, improving ventilation of indoor spaces, avoiding crowded spaces,
and being up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations.
The Omicron variant is far more contagious than the original virus and other variants, as
evidenced by the record-breaking and unprecedented surge of COVID-19 cases over the past few
weeks. Currently, Salt Lake County’s 7-day average percent positivity rate is nearly 30 percent, an
increase of 65 percent from last week, and the 14-day case rate is 1856 cases per 100,000 people, an
increase of 161 percent from the previous 14-day period. In addition, the 7-day total ICU utilization
rate is at 89 percent, with COVID-19 ICU utilization at 26 percent.
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Although COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective, and widely available, 40 percent of all Salt
Lake County residents remain unvaccinated. This high percentage of unvaccinated residents will
likely result in additional preventable hospitalizations and further strain Salt Lake County’s medical
systems, the major source of hospital beds for the entire state.
Respirators, such as KN95s, are a very effective method for reducing the spread of the
COVID-19 virus. Studies show that respirators, masks, and face coverings block the release of
respiratory droplets into the environment and can also reduce the wearer’s exposure to droplets from
others because COVID-19 viral particles spread between people more readily indoors and when
people are closer together for longer periods of time indoors.
Based on the foregoing, the Executive Director finds that COVID-19 poses a continuing,
increasing, and immediate threat to the public health of Salt Lake County residents and visitors.
The Executive Director has met her obligation under Utah Code Section 26A-1-114(7) by
providing the required notice to the Salt Lake County Mayor of her intent to issue this Public Health
Order of Constraint. Consistent with Utah Code Section 26A-1-114(9), Salt Lake County Mayor
Jennifer Wilson has approved issuance of this Order as evidenced by her signature below.
Section 1. Purpose. The intent of this Public Health Order of Constraint is to require every
individual living within or visiting Salt Lake County, Utah, to wear a respirator (or until you are able
to obtain a respirator, a well-fitting mask or face covering as an alternative) in public spaces while
indoors or queueing outdoors. All provisions of this Order shall be interpreted to effectuate this
intent.
Section 2. Definitions.
4. Fits snugly against the nose and sides of the face; and
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Section 3. Respirators Mandatory. All individuals over the age of two years who can
medically tolerate wearing a respirator (or until you are able to obtain a respirator, any well-
fitting mask or face covering), regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status or past COVID-19
infection, must always wear a respirator, mask, or face covering in the following circumstances:
A. Inside of, or in line to enter, any indoor space, which is open to members of the
public, including without limitation, grocery stores, restaurants, hotels, building
lobbies, offices, retail stores, school classrooms, and other common or shared spaces
where individuals may interact, such as restrooms, hallways, elevators, and
meeting rooms;
Section 4. Exemptions.
2. While sleeping;
3. While actively eating or drinking, provided the individual remains in place while
eating or drinking;
4. While alone or only with other members of the same household in a room, cubicle,
vehicle, or similar enclosure;
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6. While obtaining or providing a service that requires the temporary removal of the
respirator, mask, or face covering, such as speech therapy services;
B. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Order, the following individuals are
exempt from the respirator, mask, or face covering requirements:
Section 5. Effective Date; Duration. This Public Health Order takes effect on January 8, 2022,
at 12:01 a.m., and will continue to be in effect until 5 p.m. on Monday, February 7, 2022, unless
extended, rescinded, superseded, or amended in writing, or otherwise as warranted.
___________________________________________
Angela C. Dunn, MD MPH
Executive Director Salt Lake County Health Department
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