Mandated distancing, gathering limits come to an end in Utah

In this March 5, 2021, file photo a sign requiring face masks is seen at City Creek Center in Salt Lake City | Associated Press file photo by Rick Bowmer, St. George News

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah on Tuesday ended mandated limits on gatherings and social distancing related to the coronavirus after the state reached several metrics laid out in a so-called “COVID-19 endgame” bill passed earlier this year.

In this file photo, a resident receives a second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine inside the St. George Active Life Center for the Southwest Utah Public Health Department’s COVID-19 second-dose vaccination clinic on April 6, 2021. St. George, Utah | Photo by Chris Reed, St. George News

The legislation, which was passed in March, established criteria based on case rates, ICU utilization and vaccine allocations. The state previously lifted its statewide mask mandate on April 10.

Utah cleared its third and final benchmark on Tuesday after the number of vaccine doses allocated to the state reached 1.63 million, health officials said.

Masks will still be required in K-12 schools across the state, and businesses can choose to require them. Utah Transit Authority has also said it will require masks and social distancing on all buses and trains until the end of September.

In a letter to legislative leadership, health department Executive Director Rich Saunders acknowledged that the legislation has been controversial but urged state leaders to remain hopeful.

“Today should give all of us reason to celebrate,” Saunders said. “No matter which side someone falls on, we can all be proud of the outcomes we have achieved so far.”

Written by SOPHIA EPPOLITO, Associated Press/Report for America.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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