Governor Herbert Announces Plans to Move State from High Risk to Moderate Risk Under Utah Moves Together Plan

Image of Utah Leads Together dial pointing to the red, high risk category and reads "Plan to Work" Utah Leads Together 2.0

UPDATE (August 14, 2020) – A recent public health order has changed references to “risk” to “restriction.” So in this blog post, references to “Moderate Risk” really mean “Moderate Restriction Level.”

(April 25, 2020) – Utah Governor Gary Herbert announced Friday the state’s plan to move from a high-risk phase to a moderate phase under the Utah Moves Together 2.0 plan. The plan, announced earlier this month is a detailed economic recovery plan and outlines ways in which businesses and the general public can start to phase back into life after pandemic.

“[There are] plans to change the risk category as soon as May 1,” Herbert said during his Friday news briefing. “We want people to be ready and anticipate that is going to happen.”

Under the Utah Moves Together 2.0 plan, phases are defined by colors. Herbert said the colors are intended to be a visual cue to help the public navigate the opportunities and possibilities each phase.

graphic representation of: Overview of Guidelines for the general public and employers. Under Green (Normal Risk): • General public and employers take reasonable precautions • All businesses operating • Schools are open • Traveling restrictions mostly lifted, self-monitor symptoms 14 days upon return; avoid areas of high transmission Under Yellow (Low Risk): Public follows Guidelines for All Levels of the General Public (outlined below) and employers follow General Guidelines for Employers (outlined below) • General public and employers take reasonable precautions • Face coverings worn in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain • Schools are open • Interactions in decreased group sizes that enable all social distancing guidelines to be maintained; social interactions in groups 50 or fewer • All businesses operating • Employers exercise discretion with remote work and returning to onsite work • Recommended symptom checking in public/business interactions Under Orange (Moderate Risk): Public follows Guidelines for All Levels of the General Public (outlined below) and employers follow General Guidelines for Employers (outlined below) • General public and employers take extreme precautions • Face coverings worn in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain • In-person interactions limited to individual households and those who have been following recommended distancing/hygiene guidelines. Increase use of virtual interactions • Leave home infrequently, stay 6 feet away from others when outside the home • Interactions in decreased group sizes that enable all social distancing guidelines to be maintained; social interactions in groups of 20 or fewer • Limit out-of-state travel, quarantine 14 days upon return from high-risk areas • Schools closed • Employees and volunteers of businesses operate remotely, unless not possible • High-contact businesses can operate under strict protocols • Restaurants are open for dine-in services with strict requirements • Symptom checking in business interactions • Employers evaluate workforce strategy, concerns, and enact strategies to minimize economic impact Under Red (High Risk): Public follows Guidelines for All Levels of the General Public (outlined below) and employers follow General Guidelines for Employers (outlined below) • General public and employers take extreme precautions • Face coverings worn in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain • In-person interactions limited to individual households; increase virtual interactions • Essential travel only. Leave home infrequently; stay 6 feet away from others when outside the home • Interactions in groups up to 10 • Limit out-of-state travel, quarantine 14 days upon return from high-risk areas • Schools closed • Employees and volunteers of businesses operate remotely, unless not possible • Encourage high-contact businesses not to operate • Symptom checking in business interactions • Employers evaluate workforce strategy, concerns, and enact strategies to minimize economic impact
Chart from the “Color-coded Health Guidelines addendum of the Utah Leads Together 2.0 Plan. Full document available here.

Simply put, red signifies is high risk and is the highest level of caution. Orange is a moderate risk category. Yellow means low risk. And green indicates a new normal of risk where individuals can move about with full activity, but with a new caution toward COVID-19. Each level contains precautions that that both businesses and the general public need to take.

“We’re about managing risk,” said Herbert. “There’s no belief that we can get to zero risk.”

Herbert recognized that the level of risk may be different depending on which part of the state people are in. He urged citizens to read the guidelines and become familiar with the recommendations of each colored phase.

There are several points that remain the same throughout all the phases:

  • We need to be exceedingly careful for those in our vulnerable categories (over 60, underlying, health issues)
  • We need a heightened level of common sense. People need to take personal responsibility for their own actions. The guidelines cannot account for every nuanced situation.
  • We need to stay informed. Knowing the latest updates and being familiar with the Utah Leads Together 2.0 plan can help guide activity.
  • We need to be vigilant with hygiene and cleaning.
    • Wash your hands with soap for 20 seconds
    • Use hand sanitizer when hand washing is not immediately possible
    • Use masks in public
    • Cover coughs and sneezes
    • Clean high touch surfaces
    • Avoid touching your face
    • Avoid shaking hands

These state recommendations and guidelines will be put into place in conjunction with local health departments. Local health departments may recommend more strict guidelines in certain areas based on the assessed risk.

One of the most important things to keep in mind while moving from high risk to moderate risk is it does not mean business as usual. Under a moderate risk situation, there are more opportunities, but we still need to work together and all do our own part to make sure we continue trending in a good direction in the fight against COVID-19.