People in these age groups can get their booster dose at least 5 months after receiving their primary vaccine series, the same as older teens and adults.

The Utah Department of Health (UDOH) urges all vaccine providers in the state to immediately begin offering booster doses to people in these age groups.

“The Omicron variant has had a swift and substantial impact on cases here in Utah,” said Dr. Leisha Nolen, state epidemiologist for the UDOH. “A booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine has been shown to significantly reduce the chance of developing severe disease or being hospitalized with COVID-19. These vaccines are some of the most studied in human history and data shows the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks. I encourage all Utahns to get a boost as soon as they are eligible and parents should take advantage of this expanded recommendation to protect their kids.”

Earlier this week, the CDC also approved the use of a 3rd primary dose for 5-11 year old children who are moderately or severely immunocompromised. The agency also shortened the window between receiving a second Pfizer dose and a Pfizer booster dose to 5 months (from 6) for all ages.

Booster doses are in adequate supply throughout the state. To find vaccination locations throughout Utah, visit coronavirus-stage.at.utah.gov/vaccine.

1. You may need a COVID-19 test before you go.

Some destinations require a COVID-19 test before arrival, and different destinations require different types of tests. It’s your responsibility to know which type of test is required for your destination. If you’re flying, your airline is a great source for this information.

Traveler testing at these two sites is free for Utah residents with proof of residency (state-issued identification, utility statement, credit card statement, tax notice, etc.). People who are not residents of Utah will be charged a $179 fee for rapid PCR tests (credit card only); however, PCR and rapid antigen tests will be provided free of charge.  You also must show proof of travel, such as a boarding pass or other travel documents, and proof of Utah residence to receive the free rapid PCR test.

Some travel destinations may also require testing to be done at specific testing locations or include QR codes linked to results and CLIA information. At this time, the two state travel testing sites do not include QR codes or CLIA information.

You can also get tested at other COVID-19 testing locations or at private testing companies. Just make sure you’re getting the type of test that will be accepted at your destination.

Learn more about travel testing here:

2. Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself from COVID-19.

Travel increases your risk of being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19. Make sure you’re fully vaccinated before you travel. If you’re already fully vaccinated, the CDC recommends getting a booster before you travel.

If you’re not fully vaccinated and you plan to travel, take precautions to protect yourself and others: wear a mask, physical distance, wash your hands often, and try to avoid touching things other people touch. Bring hand sanitizer and disposable wipes with you in case you do not have soap and water to wash your hands.

3. Be aware of COVID-19 requirements, policies, and restrictions at your destination and for your return trip.

The CDC has helpful information for people traveling within the United States, internationally, or on cruise ships: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html.

The CDC also provides a list of travel recommendations based on how much COVID-19 is spreading in a country at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/map-and-travel-notices.html.

If you’re traveling internationally by air, you’ll need to get a COVID-19 test in order to return to the United States or show proof of recovery from COVID-19 within the last 90 days, even if you’re fully vaccinated. Get the test no more than one day before your return flight. You’ll need to show your negative test result to board.

More information on testing for air passengers flying into the United States: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/testing-international-air-travelers.html.

The CDC recommends you get tested after returning from international travel. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/international-travel-during-covid19.html#anchor_1634925927097.

Celebrate the holidays safely

Find a vaccine provider near you

The CDC recommends booster doses for the following people who received the Moderna vaccine six months after receiving their second dose:

• people who are 65 or older, or
• people who live in a long-term care facility, or
• people 18 and older with underlying medical conditions that put them at high risk for severe illness from COVID-19, or
• people who live or work in a setting that puts them at a higher risk of exposure to COVID-19, such as healthcare workers and teachers.

The CDC also recommends anyone ages 18 and older who received a Johnson & Johnson vaccine get a booster dose at least 2 months after they had their initial dose.

The CDC last month announced its recommendations for booster doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. As of October 20, more than 112,000 third doses of Pfizer vaccine have been administered to people in Utah.

“The data are clear, providing booster doses can help prevent COVID-19 related hospitalizations and deaths,” said Dr. Leisha Nolen, state epidemiologist for the Utah Department of Health (UDOH). “With hospitals still operating at full capacity, and with the winter months just around the corner, the timing is right to seek out a booster dose if you qualify. It also remains critically important that people who haven’t been vaccinated go get their vaccine now.”

In addition, the CDC recommendation also allows  mixing-and-matching of COVID-19 vaccines to help provide greater flexibility and increased protection for people seeking booster shots. This authorization means people can receive a different type of booster vaccine than the type of vaccine they originally received.

“There are some data to suggest people who got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are better protected if they receive a booster of either the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine,” added Dr. Nolen. “Providing a booster that is a different vaccine brand than someone originally received offers greater flexibility for patients and providers. Some people may have a preference for the vaccine type that they originally received and others, may prefer to get a different booster.. And providers should have an easier time managing inventory by being able to offer their patients different choices for boosters.”

The UDOH recommends vaccine providers throughout the state become familiar with the CDC’s recommendations and begin offering booster doses as soon as they are able.

The FDA has updated its fact sheets for healthcare providers and patients with information to reflect the authorization of the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson booster doses.

The CDC also has updated information on this recommendation here.

To find locations throughout Utah that offer COVID-19 vaccines visit coronavirus-stage.at.utah.gov/vaccine.

In response to this guidance, The Utah Department of Health has issued the following statement:

“The order from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says passengers and drivers must wear a mask on school buses operated by public and private school systems regardless of vaccination status. This order did not come from the Utah Department of Health and the department is not responsible to enforce this order. Local education agencies will need to determine how to respond.“

The full order, as well as a list of FAQs, including about school buses, can be found on the CDC’s website here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/face-masks-public-transportation.html

More guidance related to schools can be found here: https://coronavirus.utah.gov/education/

These recommendations are to help you make informed decisions and do not take the place of any state or local health or safety guidelines. Before planning any type of holiday gathering or activity, you should check The Utah Health Guidance Level for your community. You can find information for your community at: https://coronavirus.utah.gov/utah-health-guidance-levels/.

For Trick-or-Treaters

• A costume mask does not replace a cloth mask.
• Make your cloth mask part of your costume.
• Consider wearing a Halloween-themed face covering. Halloween masks do not protect against COVID-19.
• Do NOT wear a costume mask over a cloth mask. It can make breathing more difficult.
• Masks should NOT be worn by children younger than the age of 2 or anyone who has trouble breathing.

Stay at least 6 feet away from others who do not live in your home.

Indoors and outdoors, you are more likely to get or spread COVID-19 when you are in close contact with others for a long time.

Trick-or-treating

Trick-or-treating is mostly done outside. It is a much better option than an indoor gathering. You can trick-or-treat safely if you wear a cloth face covering and stay at least 6 feet away from people who don’t live in your home.

● Stay at least 6 feet away from others.
● Wait to go up to a door if there is already a group there.
● Don’t stay at any one house for more than a few minutes.
● Don’t let your kids eat their candy before they get home. When you get home, you can wipe the wrappers off with a disinfecting wipe.

Wash your hands

• Bring hand sanitizer with you and use it after touching objects or other people.
• Use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Parents: supervise young children using hand sanitizer.
• Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds when you get home and before you eat any treats.

Do not go trick-or-treating, or to a party or other activities if you or someone who lives in your home:

• Has tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 14 days.
• Was exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 14 days.
• Should be in isolation or quarantine.
• Has symptoms of COVID-19.
• Is waiting for COVID-19 test results.
• Is at higher-risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

Know your risk

• Take extra precautions if you are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19, or live or work with someone at higher-risk for severe illness. To find out more about who may be at higher- risk, visit https://coronavirus.utah.gov/protecting-high-risk-individuals/.
• Celebrate virtually or with just the people who live in your home.
• Don’t go to in-person gatherings with people who don’t live in your home or large gatherings with many people.
• If you go to an in-person gathering with people who do not live in your household, try to participate in lower risk activities (see tables below).

For those answering the door:

• Avoid direct contact with trick-or-treaters.
• Give out treats outdoors, if possible.
• Set up a station with individually bagged treats for kids to take.
• Wash hands before handling treats.
• Wear a mask.

Trunk-or-treats:

• Follow the recommendations for trick-or-treating.
• Have trunk-or-treaters go in a one-way direction.
• Park cars at least 6-feet apart. Don’t ride together. Each car should only have people who live in the same home.
• Don’t go to a trunk-or-treat if anyone in your home is at higher-risk.

When you get home:

• Everyone should wash their hands with soap and water for 20 seconds.
• Wipe down candy wrappers with a disinfectant wipe before your child eats anything. Don’t wipe down the candy itself; that would be dangerous.
• Throw away anything that is open, homemade, or is not individually wrapped.

Halloween parties and activities

We don’t recommend having a Halloween party with people who don’t live in your home. If you want to have a Halloween party, keep it small and invite only immediate family members. You can lower the risk and make a Halloween party safer by taking precautions and using strategies to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

If you’re going to a party, here are some things to consider:

• Try to have parties outside. Indoor gatherings have more risk than outdoor ones. This is especially important if people who don’t live in the same homes are eating or drinking.
• Keep your face covering on as much as possible.
• Ask everyone to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer when they get there. Make sure soap and water or hand sanitizer is available.
• Stay at least 6 feet away from other families if you eat or drink. Put your face covering back on right after you are done eating. Any time you take your face covering off, it increases your risk of getting or spreading the virus.
• Do not go to parties where people aren’t wearing face coverings. These have been shown to be extremely high risk for COVID-19 transmission.
• Avoid buffet-style eating. One person should serve food. Each family should sit at a different table.
• Have games or activities kids can do with their masks on. No bobbing for apples this year!

For more information, visit:

https://intermountainhealthcare.org/blogs/topics/covid-19/2020/10/covid-19-how-to-have-a-safe-and-fun-halloween/

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html

According to their review of various controlled studies conducted across the country, there is convincing evidence that wearing masks reduces the transmission of COVID-19 for healthcare workers and the public.

From the study: “There is clear evidence that face coverings reduce
the spray of droplets produced during speaking, coughing, and sneezing. This is why masks have long been recommended for individuals with respiratory infections. Furthermore, home-made cloth
masks are similar in effectiveness to surgical masks in diffusing the “jets” of droplets that could spread COVID-19. For example, one of the most
definitive studies on viruses and face masks found a 90% reduction in influenza viruses after breathing through a mask and a complete removal of coronaviruses. Because only fitted respirators (the finest meshed masks) provide reliable protection from external droplets and viral particles, public masking works through “source control,” where “my mask protects you, and your mask protects me.”’

The study also contains links to the original studies and additional resources on mask wearing.

Access the full study results here.

Knowing how to approach travel safely and responsibly right now is challenging. While the opportunity to relax and escape into Utah’s wide-open spaces may be enticing, thoughts surrounding social distancing, sanitation and safety in public places are distressing. Traveling inherently increases the risk of contracting and spreading the coronavirus, but there are measures we can all take to travel more responsibly and have a positive impact on the communities we visit.

The first step is researching and understanding the risks associated with travel. Refer to the CDC’s up-to-date travel guidelines, as well as Visit Utah’s coronavirus travel updates. Then, as you plan your next trip to Utah consider branching off the beaten path. Although Utah’s national and state parks are open (with some limitations), many are under significant pressure from large groups of travelers. Instead, plan a road trip along The All-American Road: Scenic Byway 12, or hike a new trail in the local favorite Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument region. Now is the time to gain new perspectives, to focus on thoughtfulness as you travel and to make a positive impact on communities along the way.

Like so many locally-owned businesses around the world, the coronavirus pandemic has put tremendous pressure on Utah’s restaurants, boutiques, guides and numerous other businesses. While working together to control the spread of the coronavirus is paramount, we also have the opportunity to restore strength to these local businesses. Small but mighty changes in where you shop, the places you stay and the way you interact with a community can make a world of difference.

More information about supporting local, along with inspiration and travel discounts can be found here.

With that said, traveling responsibly is about more than exploring new destinations and supporting communities along the way. It’s about immersing yourself in a place’s heritage and culture. It’s about slowing down when possible and stopping to fully appreciate all that is around you. It’s about caring deeply, and finding ways to ensure Utah’s destinations stay Forever Mighty. Consider these ideas as you plan your next trip to Utah. We’re ready to welcome you back when the time is right, and we’re here for you every step of the way.

For more information and inspiration from The Utah Office of Tourism, go to https://www.visitutah.com/

Generally, there are no restrictions in the state with regard to travel. But, that doesn’t mean there aren’t risks. The information on this page can help if you’re thinking about traveling and answer some quiestions about what to do when you get back.

This page has also been translated into Spanish (Esta página ya está traducida al español.)

Information on travel can also be found on our FAQ page.

Because there are a limited number of tests available, we have to be judicious about who is tested.

Utahns will only be tested if they have a fever, cough, shortness of breath AND have traveled in the last 14 days to South Korea, Japan, Iran, Italy, or mainland China. 

Whether a person is tested depends on the level of risk. The Utah Department of Health will assess the risk of the person and consult with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to determine the need for testing on a case-by-case basis.

If symptoms are mild to moderate and you have traveled, CALL your provider or use a telehealth service first. Leave emergency rooms and emergent care open for emergencies.

Have questions about COVID-19? See our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Preventative measures are the same for all respiratory diseases:

• Wash hands for 20 seconds with soap and running water frequently.
• Use hand sanitizer only when soap and water isn’t available.
• Keep your hands low – avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

As with any disease, if you have mild to moderate symptoms, self-isolate, meaning stay home, avoid mass gatherings, send someone else to the store, and give a sick person their own room.

Make sure to clean shared surfaces often (mobile phones, doorknobs, faucets, remotes, etc).

Photo courtesy Centers for Disease Control & Prevention