Utah's Statewide Mask Mandate Ends April 10 - Now What?
The end of Utah’s statewide mask mandate, which comes with the passage of HB 294, could not come soon enough for some and is far too early for others. According to a recent poll conducted by the Hinkley Institute of Politics and Deseret News, Utahns are still clearly divided over the mandated use of masks in public places.
Despite the end to the mandate on April 10, there are many government facilities, hospitals and other healthcare settings, businesses, schools, sports arenas, churches and at least two local municipalities that will still be requiring masks for the foreseeable future:
- The mask requirements for K-12 schools REMAINS IN PLACE until June 15. Local officials, like a school board or county council, do NOT have legal authority to end the school mask requirement before this date.
- Mask requirements will remain in place for group gatherings of 50 or more people.
- Masks will still be required in all state buildings for employees and patrons until May 31.
- Salt Lake City and Grand County have extended their mask mandates.
- Private businesses are allowed to keep their own mask requirements.
- Additional county or city governments could enact mask requirements, with approval from their local elected officials.
- For a list of many of the places that will continue to require masks (and to submit information about businesses that you know of that will continue to require masks), check out this recent article from the Salt Lake Tribune.
Under the legislation, all public health orders will terminate on July 1 regardless of whether public health benchmarks are reached.
We Can Do This: COVID-19 Public Education Campaign
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services announced a national effort to help community partners promote COVID-19 vaccine confidence. The campaign includes educational materials targeted to specific audiences and seeks volunteers for the COVID-19 Community Corps. Learn how you can utilize their materials in your practice here.
COVID Vaccine News
AAFP Family Medicine Advocacy Summit Registration Closes April 16
Join colleagues and meet with members of Congress to advocate for family medicine while sharpening those storytelling and political engagement skills. Lobbying will focus on telehealth, Medicaid pay parity, and high-deductible health plans. Ahead of the event, registrants can take advantage of three informative on-demand videos: Find out what successful legislative advocacy looks like as well as how to bring a unique perspective and authority as a family physician to meetings with representatives. Register Today!
You Say You've Got a Resolution?
It may not be New Year's, but it is resolution time at UAFP. AAFP Congress of Delegates will be meeting this fall and your representatives are beginning work on resolutions from the Utah Chapter.
Are there policies you would like to see to help your practice, the health of your patients, medical education, etc.? This is your chance to submit a resolution idea.
You don't have to submit a completed resolution--even a good idea for a resolution is sufficient and we'll do the rest.
Please email any ideas and suggestions to Maryann Martindale.
Upcoming CME & Events
Getting Back on Track - Catching up on Care During COVID
April 17, 2021
Hosted by UAFP
Common Problems in Pediatrics
June 6 - 9, 2021
Hosted by the Utah Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics
Utah Certificate of Palliative Care Education (UCoPE) at the University of Utah
June 15-19, 2021
Hosted by the University of Utah
Learn more and register here
