Governor and State Health Officer Loosen Restrictions on Restaurants

Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon announced Tuesday that new state public health orders that go into effect Thursday will ease the restrictions on restaurants, while continuing efforts to keep the public safe. According to a news release from the Governor’s office, the changes to Health Order No. 1 no longer require restaurants to space out seating in booths and increases the permitted number of persons at a table from 6 to 8 persons. Larger tables are permitted for members of the same household. This increase in the number of persons per table also applies to indoor and outdoor gatherings listed in Order No. 2. Outdoor seating is still encouraged.

The updated health orders reflect Wyoming Department of Health data that shows that sit-down dining in restaurants has not significantly contributed to the spread of COVID-19 throughout the state. Wyoming is also in the process of updating its statewide guidance consistent with federal regulations that permit indoor visitation at nursing homes and assisted living facilities. That guidance will be published later this week.

Over the past 14 days, Wyoming has averaged approximately 79 new cases per day, and the percent of COVID-19 tests with a positive result is 5.1 percent. As of Tuesday evening, Wyoming has recorded 4,948 lab-confirmed positive cases of COVID-19, 873 probable cases and 50 deaths. More than 164,000 tests have been completed by the Wyoming Public Health Laboratory and commercial reference laboratories.