FILE: (Summit County Health Department)
SUMMIT COUNTY — A stay at home order has been issued by Summit County requiring all residents to stay at home and cease non-essential travel and operations until at least May 1.
The Order goes into effect Friday, March 27th at 12:01 a.m. and “applies to non-essential businesses, services, and visitors in addition to residents,” Summit County officials said in a statement on Thursday.
Summit County Health Director, Dr. Rich Bullough said, “When you look at the data, Summit County is a hotspot for COVID-19 statewide, nationally and globally. At this time, Summit County has 20-times the number of cases per capita as Salt Lake County. Our cases per capita rival those of the worst areas of New York City and many parts of Italy.”
This decision was not made lightly but is in the best interest of public health in summit county he said.
The order includes in it that visitors to Summit County Leave as safely and quickly as possible. Those planning to visit are asked not to visit Summit County for the duration of the order.
Residents are not barred from going outside but must practice social-distancing.
Residents of Summit County will be able to visit grocery stores and pharmacies for essential items. They can also attend medical appointments.
Essential services that will still be allowed to operate include the following:
“Our county government is working to support essential services and the COVID-19 response in our community while complying with these Orders,” County Manager, Tom Fisher, said. “These Orders are a necessary step to protect our population now and in the future.”
Violations are punishable as a Class B Misdemeanor in Summit County. Under Utah law, a Class B Misdemeanor is up to six months in jail and a fine up to $1,000.