COVID-19 Transmission Index

The COVID-19 Transmission Index represents the collaborative work of state and local public health, the Governor’s Office, the hospital industry, business leaders, and important guidance from legislative leadership on the elements of the approach to protect communities.

The transmission index clarifies the public health metrics used to determine which counties are placed in which transmission level. Counties will be placed in one of three transmission levels: High, Moderate, or Low. These levels correspond directly to case rates, positivity rates, and ICU utilization.

Data will be analyzed weekly, and counties will be placed into a transmission level depending solely on what their data show. Changes from a lower level to a higher level may occur weekly. Changes from a higher level to a lower level may occur every 14 days at minimum, when thresholds are met.

The data helps us understand the real risk of transmission in our communities. Important health behaviors, based on epidemiology and medical science, are outlined at each level to protect yourself, your family, and your community from COVID-19.

Masks required.

Masks required.

Masks required.

Actions for all individuals and businesses

Gathering safely

Social gatherings, such as family dinner, get togethers with friends, book club
(not including formal religious services or educational events or gatherings with an event host)

High level of transmission

Recommendation: Practice physical distancing and wearing a mask unless you are by yourself or only with members of your same household

Recommendation: Limit gathering size to 10 or fewer

Moderate level of transmission

Recommendation: Practice physical distancing and wearing a mask unless you are by yourself or only with members of your same household

Recommendation: Limit gathering size to 10 or fewer

Low level of transmission

Recommendation: Practice physical distancing and wearing a mask unless you are by yourself or only with members of your same household

Recommendation: Limit gathering size to 50 or fewer

Masks worn in public indoor settings, and outdoors when physical distancing is not feasible; this includes both employees and patrons.

New research shows statewide mask requirements are more effective at spurring economic activity. Learn more

High level of transmission

Required-state-wide

Public Health Order:
Businesses shall post signage indicating that patrons are expected to wear masks

Moderate level of transmission

Required-state-wide

Public Health Order:
Businesses shall post signage indicating that patrons are expected to wear masks

Download Business Signs (Zip)

Low level of transmission

Required-state-wide

Public Health Order:
Businesses shall post signage indicating that patrons are expected to wear masks

Download Business Signs (Zip)

Physical distancing 

Between household groups where feasible, even at social gatherings
Strongly recommended at all levels of transmission

Hygiene practices

Strongly recommended at all levels of transmission

Stay home when sick

Required at all levels of transmission

Follow public health quarantine/isolation guidance

Public Health Order: Required at all levels of transmissions

Note: For transmission within a business: quarantine for 7 days if negative test results from a test on the 7th day

• What is quarantine? (PDF Updated 12/2020)
• What is isolation? (PDF Updated 12/2020)
• What to do if you are on quarantine or isolation for COVID-19 (PDF Updated 12/2020)

All businesses

• Refer to Business Manual (PDF Updated 12/2020)
• Require 6’ of distancing between household groups, unless masks are worn
• Post signage listing COVID-19 symptoms, asking employees and customers with symptoms to stay home, and encouraging physical distancing Download Business Signs (Zip)
• Offer alternative pickup options when possible (such as curbside pickups, delivery, takeout)
• Ensure ventilation systems operate properly
• Plexiglass barriers between staff and customers where feasible at cash registers and customer service counters when 6’ distancing is difficult
• Thoroughly clean and disinfect restrooms at least twice daily
• Facilitate employees working from home when ill or if they are high-risk individuals
• Stay Safe to Stay Open Pledge (or a similar industry-approved pledge that increases health and safety measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19) is strongly encouraged
• For businesses hosting an event, follow the event host requirements

Restaurants
(including buffets)

High level of transmission

Public Health Order: 6’ distancing required between tables

Masks required unless actively eating or drinking, customer must remain in one place while eating or drinking

Recommendation: Families and individuals should dine only with members of their same households (i.e. live under the same roof)

Moderate level of transmission

6’ distancing between parties strongly recommended when seated, required in waiting areas

Masks required unless actively eating or drinking, customer must remain in one place while eating or drinking

Low level of transmission

6’ distancing between parties strongly encouraged

Masks required unless actively eating or drinking, customer must remain in one place while eating or drinking

Bars

High level of transmission

Public Health Order: 6’ distancing required between tables. 

Masks required unless actively eating or drinking, customer must remain in one place while eating or drinking

Recommendation: Families and individuals should dine only with members of their same households (i.e. live under the same roof)

Moderate level of transmission

6’ distancing between parties strongly recommended; limit occupancy to 75% of capacity; patrons should wear a mask when intermingling with other parties

Masks required unless actively eating or drinking, customer must remain in one place while eating or drinking

Low level of transmission

6’ distancing between parties strongly encouraged

Masks required unless actively eating or drinking, customer must remain in one place while eating or drinking

Workout Gyms

High level of transmission

Public Health Order: 6’ physical distancing required between patrons not of the same household

Moderate level of transmission

Public Health Order: 6’ physical distancing required between patrons not of the same household

Low level of transmission

OPEN

Public Gatherings 

Any establishment or organization with an event host that allows public gathering, such as live events, movie theatres, sporting events, weddings, recreation, and entertainment (Does not apply to an individual attending or participating in a religious service)

Public Health Order: Masks are required; (egress/ingress included) performers/athletes are exempt while performing

Public Health Order: Completion and execution of Event Management Template is required

Individual businesses will be expected to modify their operations based on individual outbreaks; Local Health Department discretion on severity of modifications, supported by Utah Department of Health

High level of transmission

Public Health Order: 6’ physical distancing between household groups is required at all time (egress/ingress included); performers and athletes are exempt during the event

Exception to 6’ physical distancing between household groups may be requested through county executives in consultation with the local health officer. Exceptions shall be considered based on the requesting party’s ability to demonstrate safe operations as outlined in the business manual. Exceptions may be reviewed and reconsidered every 14 days.

Moderate level of transmission

Public Health Order: 6’ physical distancing between household groups is required at all time (egress/ingress included); performers and athletes are exempt during the event

Exception to 6’ physical distancing between household groups may be requested through county executives in consultation with the local health officer. Exceptions shall be considered based on the requesting party’s ability to demonstrate safe operations as outlined in the business manual. Exceptions may be reviewed and reconsidered every 14 days.

Low level of transmission

6’ physical distancing between household groups is strongly encouraged, side by side seating without physical distance between household groups is allowed; performers/athletes are exempt from physical distancing while performing

Elementary (K-8)

• Keep students in class 
• Public Health Order: K-12 mask mandate still applies
• Refer to school manual (PDF Updated 12/2020) and Utah State Board of Education’s School Reopening Planning Handbook

High School

• Keep students in class
• Public Health Order: K-12 mask mandate still applies
• Public Health Order: In person extracurricular activities require testing of each coach, official, and player/participant at least every other week. Positive individuals will not be permitted to participate until after completing their isolation period as outlined in the school manual (PDF Updated 12/2020)
• Recommendation: Gatherings before and/or after practices or competitions should be limited to members of the same household
• Adherence to new guidelines established by UHSAA shall be followed
• Public Health Order: Club sports require symptom and exposure checking of each coach, official, and player/participant before each in person engagement. Individuals experiencing symptoms or currently quarantined due to exposure shall not be permitted to participate until completing quarantine or isolation requirements

Higher Education

• Refer to USHE/individual university/college reopening plans
• Keep students in class
• Public Health Order: Testing strategy employed for all students for public degree granting institutions and technical colleges and private institutions of higher education with a student body greater than 10,000 students
• Social gathering guidelines adhered to 
• Public Health Order: Symptom checking required for all organized extracurricular/intramural activities