In Grand County, masks to remain on government property, city facilities

May 5, 2021, 5:58 PM

Arches National Park is pictured on Saturday, April 17, 2021. Annie Barker, Deseret News

Digital Content Producer

MOAB, Utah — Grand County, home to Moab, Arches National Park, and Canyonlands National Park, will require masks on government property and in city facilities.

Local officials confirmed the Grand County masks requirement one day after the state of Utah met the thresholds established in House Bill 294. Referred to as Utah’s “Endgame” legislation, the bill designated which thresholds would need to be met to end the state’s COVID-19 public health orders.

“At this time, Grand County remains in the state’s High-Risk status,” the county said in a statement, “with a COVID-19 case rate that is three times higher than any other county in Utah. And the number of Grand County cases continues to rise.”

COVID-19 14-day case rate per 100,000 population by county. Accessed May 5, 2021. Source: https://coronavirus.utah.gov/case-counts/

Grand County is served by the Southeast Utah Health Department, which reported an average of 1,358.9 active cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population as of May 5, 2021. The county itself recorded a 14-day average rate of 984.2 cases per 100,000 population.

In comparison, House Bill 294 requires a per 100,000 population case rate of 191 to end public health orders. On May 5, 2021, Utah’s per 100,000 population active cases rate was 159.9.

Accessed 05/05/2021. Source: https://coronavirus.utah.gov/legislative-response/

All five national parks in Utah fall under the jurisdiction of the federal government, meaning federal mask guidelines remain in place. Grand County hosts two of those parks, Arches and Canyonlands.

Additionally, Grand County officials said businesses may continue to require masks upon entrance.

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.
Wear a mask to protect yourself and others per CDC recommendations.
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).
Obtain a flu shot.
Seek out the COVID-19 vaccine.