SALT LAKE CITY — Ahead of the first weekend under Utah’s new COVID-19 state of emergency, a lot of people still have questions about what it entails.
The state has just revised its FAQs on the website to explain the public health order and the restrictions that are in place.
The Utah County Health Dept. is emphasizing that the ban is on casual social gatherings of any size.
The current Executive Order forbids causal social gatherings of any size. Taking exception to this order is like drilling holes in the bottom of a ship we're all sailing in. We're in this together.
— UtahCountyHealthDept (@UCHD) November 12, 2020
This list was copied from the order's FAQ page, found at https://t.co/fi5toCeNcs pic.twitter.com/b5r9HPjiDn
In a tweet. The department said, quote, "Taking exception to this order is like drilling holes in the bottom of a ship we're all sailing in. We're in this together."
The tweet asks residents to cancel their plans with people outside those living in their household.
That includes everything from play dates to book clubs.
Meantime, in an unofficial Twitter poll posted by Lt. Governor and Governor-elect Spencer Cox, his followers were asked whether the latest restrictions and record hospitalizations and case numbers have changed their behavior.
Ok, I’m deleting the previous question and giving an additional option. I know this isn’t scientific, but I’m curious if the Governor’s emergency announcement and record hospitalizations/case numbers has changed your family’s behavior regarding the virus this week:
— Spencer Cox (@SpencerJCox) November 12, 2020
So far, with nearly 5,000 people taking part, these are the results:
- 41 percent of people say “yes.”
- 52 percent say “no, they were always cautious.”
- 7 percent say “no, caution is unnecessary.”
Governor Herbert has said it's going to take a few weeks any effects from the state of emergency restrictions.