Per a new health order by the Salt Lake County Health Department, face masks are required in public schools for 30 days starting Saturday, Jan. 8.
The order, which to date, has been allowed to stand by the Salt Lake County Council, extends to all indoor public places, including public schools. The order also requires mask-wearing while queueing outdoors.
It applies to all county residents regardless of their vaccination status or previous COVID-19 infections, and will be in place for 30 days, through Monday, Feb. 7, or until further notice.
Exemptions to the order include:
- Individuals under two years of age and those with medical conditions, impairments or disabilities that prevent wearing a mask.
- Individuals engaging in work where they are alone and individuals for whom wearing a mask would create a risk to the individual related to their work as determined by local, state or federal regulators or workplace safety guidelines.
- When communicating with an individual who is deaf or hard of hearing if: communication cannot be achieved through other means; and the speaker wears a face shield or uses alternative protection such as a plexiglass barrier.
- While obtaining or providing a service that requires the temporary removal of the respirator, mask, or face covering, such as speech therapy services.
- While actively practicing or playing a competitive, recreational, or professional sport.
- While giving an educational, artistic, cultural, musical, or theatrical presentation or performance for an audience.
- While exercising or engaging in athletic training while indoors and maintaining at least six feet of physical distance from any other individual; and while swimming or on duty as a lifeguard.
Parents who believe their children qualify for a medical or non-medical exemption can contact their principal for an exemption form.
Canyons District schools have supplies of face masks on hand and will provide them to any student or employee who needs one.