HEALTH

Face masks required in Utah national parks, but not in all gateway cities

Apr 19, 2021, 1:49 PM

A timed entry reservation system begins on April 1 at Arches National Park in Moab. And it will con...

FILE: (Arches National Park/National Park Service)

(Arches National Park/National Park Service)

SALT LAKE CITY — The state of Utah has dropped its mask mandate put in place to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, and several cities that surround Utah’s five national parks have dropped similar requirements. But those who make the rules for Utah national parks themselves say masks are still required.

The reason lies in the names.  Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef are all national parks that fall under the federal mask guidelines that President Biden instituted on his first day in office.  The executive order mandates masks for all federal buildings and federal lands.

RELATED: Violence over mask policy won’t be tolerated, governor says

“Federal contractors and other individuals in Federal buildings and on Federal lands should all wear masks, maintain physical distance, and adhere to other public health measures, as provided in CDC guidelines,” Mr. Biden’s executive order said.

And while many gateway cities have dropped mask requirements (Springdale, Bryce Canyon City, and Torrey), not all of them have. Moab still requires them, as does the whole of Grand County.

Grand County issued a public health order on March 2, 2021, citing the easy spread of COVID-19, CDC guidelines, and data provided by Utah officials which shows that masks reduce the probability of the transmission of COVID-19, as its reasoning to keep a mask mandate in place through June 15, 2021.

RELATED: Store owner describes clash with angry anti-mask customer

Children younger than 3 years of age and people with certain medical conditions or developmental disabilities are excluded from the Grand County mask mandate. Click here for the full text of the county’s public health order outlining mask use.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Health

Myrtle Spurge is often touted as deer-resistant and drought-tolerant, but the plant is rapidly inva...

Eliza Pace

Salt Lake County Health warns of harmful myrtle spurge plant

Myrtle spurge was originally introduced to Utah as a decorative plant but is an invasive species that has spread to natural areas.

19 hours ago

Dairy cows across the country, specifically in Texas, Kansas and New Mexico are getting sick with a...

Alexandrea Bonilla

Cows across the country are getting sick with a “flu-like” illness

Utah is altering the requirements for livestock brought into the state after multiple cows across the country have gotten sick with a flu-like illness.  

1 day ago

Over 30% of people in Utah are considred prediabetic because of the amount of soda they drink....

Amanda Dickson

Is Utah’s soda obsession behind our levels of prediabetes?

Here in Utah, our soda drinking habits might be making us particularly at risk for prediabetes and diabetes.

2 days ago

A hand holds a tablet stamped with "MF," standing for mifepristone....

CNN

Study shows how self-managed abortion became more common, as Supreme Court abortion drug hearing looms

Medication abortion has become increasingly common since it first became available in the United States two decades ago.

3 days ago

Small screens...

Don Brinkerhoff

Small screens impacting the mental health of kids says study

The increased use of small screens by kids and teens may be linked to increased mental health issues according to a study.

3 days ago

bottles of prescription medication at a desk. 16.2% of Utahns are unable to get the prescription me...

Tammy Kikuchi and Emma Keddington

Utah ranks second in the nation for prescription medication shortages

The hardest prescription medication to get is for ADHD, cancer and high blood pressure.

3 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Mother and cute toddler child in a little fancy wooden cottage, reading a book, drinking tea and en...

Visit Bear Lake

How to find the best winter lodging in Bear Lake, Utah

Winter lodging in Bear Lake can be more limited than in the summer, but with some careful planning you can easily book your next winter trip.

Happy family in winter clothing at the ski resort, winter time, watching at mountains in front of t...

Visit Bear Lake

Ski more for less: Affordable ski resorts near Bear Lake, Utah

Plan your perfect ski getaway in Bear Lake this winter, with pristine slopes, affordable tickets, and breathtaking scenery.

front of the Butch Cassidy museum with a man in a cowboy hat standing in the doorway...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking Back: The History of Bear Lake

The history of Bear Lake is full of fascinating stories. At over 250,000 years old, the lake has seen generations of people visit its shores.

silhouette of a family looking over a lake with a bird in the top corner flying...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

8 Fun Activities To Do in Bear Lake Without Getting in the Water

Bear Lake offers plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy without having to get in the water. Catch 8 of our favorite activities.

Wellsville Mountains in the spring with a pond in the foreground...

Wasatch Property Management

Advantages of Renting Over Owning a Home

Renting allows you to enjoy luxury amenities and low maintenance without the long-term commitment and responsibilities of owning a home.

Clouds over a red rock vista in Hurricane, Utah...

Wasatch Property Management

Why Southern Utah is a Retirement Paradise

Retirement in southern Utah offers plenty of cultural and recreational opportunities. Find out all that this region has to offer.

Face masks required in Utah national parks, but not in all gateway cities