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Public Health Orders Updated, Mask Mandate Remains in Effect

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Governor Mark Gordon and the Wyoming Department of Health have announced the removal of a health order addressing operations of personal care services, along with a continued relaxing of COVID-19 protocols as Wyoming’s metrics continue to improve. 

Beginning March 1, Health Order No. 3, which addresses operations of barber shops, nail and hair salons, tattoo parlors and other personal care services is being eliminated completely. Attendance limits for indoor and outdoor gatherings will increase once again, and protocols for restaurant and theater operations will be adjusted. Indoor gatherings that incorporate social distancing and face coverings are permitted for up to 25 percent of capacity or 1,000 persons, and outdoor gatherings of up to 2,000 persons. In addition, sporting events and artistic performances will see participation limits eased. 

Four Wyoming counties have now received variances from statewide requirements in response to local conditions. Additional changes to statewide protocols are expected to continue as metrics allow. Vaccination efforts are expected to help accelerate that process, Governor Gordon said. 

“The efforts made so far have allowed us to maximize attendance safely at larger events like the state high school wrestling championships this weekend and the state high school basketball tournament that was cancelled last year,” the Governor said. “If we continue on our current trajectory, I expect us to be able to continue to remove orders as we safely return to a new normal.”

As of  February 25,  more than 16% of the state’s population has received at least one vaccine dose – one of the highest rates in the country. All Wyoming counties are now in phase 1b of the phased distribution plan, which includes adults 65 and over, frontline essential workers, and individuals with medical conditions that put them at higher risk. Wyoming vaccine distribution information can be found at https://health.wyo.gov/publichealth/immunization/wyoming-covid-19-vaccine-information/.

The changes are in effect from March 1-15. A fact sheet explaining the most recent update and the updated orders are attached. They can also be found on Wyoming’s COVID-19 website.

Changes to Public Health Orders Related to COVID-19
February 25, 2021
Summary
➔ Changes to the current public health orders will take effect on March 1, 2021.
➔ Due to improving metrics around the state (case counts, hospitalizations, etc.), changes to the next round of orders
include:
◆ Elimination of Order #3 (salons, barber shops, cosmetology, etc.) Please note, these businesses shall still
comply with the statewide mask protocol provided in Order #4.
◆ Further easing of restrictions on indoor and outdoor events.
◆ Further easing of restrictions on organized sports and artistic performances.
◆ Further easing of restrictions on restaurants.
◆ Easing of requirements for staff screening logs and signage.
Additional detail on the changes to each public health order is provided below.
Changes to Public Health Order #1
➔ Further easing restrictions on restaurants and theaters. Groups of up to 10 will now be permitted to sit together, up
from 8 (see Order #2 as well).
➔ Buffets and self-service will be allowed in restaurants.
➔ Staff screening logs and signage requirements will be relaxed.
Changes to Public Health Order #2
➔ Gatherings (without required distancing between groups) are limited to 50 individuals (previously 25).
➔ Indoor events may allow up to 25% of venue capacity with a maximum of 1,000 people (up from 500). Groups of up to
10 will now be permitted to sit together, up from 8.
➔ Outdoor events may allow up to 50% of venue capacity with a maximum of 2,000 people (up from 1,000). Groups of
up to 10 will now be permitted to sit together, up from 8.
➔ Participants in organized sporting events and artistic performances shall not congregate in groups larger than 50
individuals (up from 25).
Changes to Public Health Order #3
➔ Order #3 will be eliminated, however these businesses shall still comply with the statewide mask protocol provided in
Order #4.
Continuation of Statewide Order for Mask Use (Public Health Order #4)
➔ Use of masks statewide will continue with this round of orders.

4 Comments

4 Comments

  1. Avatar photo

    Sam Grover

    February 26, 2021 at 9:39 am

    There it is again, “new normal”. These spineless oligarchs are try to preemptively define how our future will look. I plan on defining my own future without the help of government officials and I hope all citizens feel the same way.

  2. Avatar photo

    Thomas Jones

    February 26, 2021 at 10:24 am

    Gov Gianforte of MT removed the mask mandate and left the mask rules up to individual businesses. It appears that Gov Gianforte trusts the citizens of MT to do the right thing, while Gov Gordon does not.

    Remember this when Gordon is up for reelection.

  3. Avatar photo

    Sarah Adams

    February 26, 2021 at 2:09 pm

    Gordon knows better than to trust the people of WY to do the right thing- he tried that at the beginning of the pandemic and people chose not to wear masks on their own.

    • Avatar photo

      Thomas Jones

      February 27, 2021 at 6:33 pm

      Meanwhile FL is doing just fine.

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