Governor Herbert Renews State of Emergency

Picture of the Utah State Capitol

Governor also issues brief renewals of several suspended statutes 

SALT LAKE CITY (Sept. 19, 2020) — With COVID-19 cases hitting record highs yesterday Gov. Gary R. Herbert has issued an Executive Order that will again place Utah under a State of Emergency. The previous order was scheduled to expire today. 

Under the new State of Emergency, the governor will only take certain executive actions, such as suspending statutes, if asked to do so by the Public Health and Economic Emergency Commission. For more information on this policy, see the governor’s letter to legislative leadership here. 

To that end, Gov. Herbert has issued brief renewals of statute and rule suspensions to allow Utah residents and agencies to prepare for the reactivation of the statutes and rules. These suspensions allow Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control licensees to maintain their licenses even if they close down for a period of time; suspend some requirements for using telehealth; suspend requirements that parole hearings be open to in-person participation; and allow flexibility to retired employees who have not been separated from employment from a public employer for one year to return to work on COVID-19 related issues without jeopardizing their retirement benefits.

Going forward, phased health guideline changes and mask mandates will be issued as public health orders under the Utah Department of Health. 

See the Executive Order declaring a State of Emergency here. 

See the Executive Order pertaining to DABC licenses here. 

See the Executive Order regarding telehealth here. 

See the Executive Order regarding parole hearings here. 

See the Executive order pertaining to previously retired State employees here.