Salt Lake City mayor asks state for permission to go back to orange

SALT LAKE CITY — Mayor Erin Mendenhall has formally requested the state move Salt Lake City back to “orange” from “yellow” to reflect the growing number of COVID-19 cases in recent weeks. 

City leaders sent out an email announcing the request, citing weeks of case count increases and “the three highest recorded COVID-19 case counts in the City and Salt Lake County during the course of the pandemic.” 

Under the Utah Leads Together guidelines outlined by state government officials, moving Salt Lake City to “orange” would mean moderate restrictions for local residents. That would include a limit of 20 participants in social gatherings, rather than 50 as allowed under “yellow” guidelines. 

“Our data’s continuing upward trend is alarming and swift action is necessary. The shift to orange should be a signal to Salt Lake City residents of the gravity of this situation,” Mendenhall said in the email. “With this request, I hope to specifically target the behaviors that are leading to increased infections, like large gatherings, and will work with state and county leaders and other stakeholders to tailor restrictions to those activities. We want to continually adapt and evolve necessary precautions to net the public. health benefits we need, so that we can impact these numbers without unnecessarily putting burdens on city residents and businesses. We all need to stay safe to keep businesses open.” 

If accepted by Salt Lake County and Utah government leaders, Salt Lake City could return to orange by as soon as this weekend.

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How To Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus

COVID-19 coronavirus spreads person to person, similar to the common cold and the flu. So, to prevent it from spreading:

• Wash hands frequently and thoroughly, with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds.
• Don’t touch your face.
• Keep children and those with compromised immune systems away from someone who is coughing or sneezing (in this instance, at least six feet)
• If there is an outbreak near you, practice social distancing (stay at home, instead of going to the movies, sports events, or other activities.)
• Get a flu shot.

Local resources

KSL Coronavirus Q&A 

Utah’s Coronavirus Information 

Utah State Board of Education

Utah Hospital Association

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Utah Coronavirus Information Line – 1-800-456-7707

National Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Commonly asked questions, World Health Organization

Cases in the United States

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