Teton County Will Not Seek Variance
Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon and State Health Officer Dr. Alexia Harrist have announced updated public health orders, effective Friday May 15, that will ease restrictions intended to limit the potential spread of COVID-19. The modifications to three statewide orders will remain in place through Sunday, May 31, unless the Wyoming Department of Health revokes or extends the orders.
Teton District Health Officer, Travis Riddell, MD, does not plan to submit variances to the orders at this time; Teton County residents should follow the same regulations as announced by the state on Wednesday.
Some of the notable modifications include:
Statewide Order #2, expanding the number of people allowed to gather to twenty-five (25) people. Previously, the number was capped at no more than nine (9). The order permits larger gatherings for churches, religious organizations, and funeral homes under specified conditions, which include physical distancing measures and detailed sanitation measures. Teton County residents should contact their local house of worship or funeral home staff for specific information on services.
Modifications to Statewide Order #1 and #3 also include specific physical distancing requirements and increased sanitation measures as well as other conditions intended to limit the spread of COVID-19. Under the updated requirements, some of the increased services include:
• Restaurants and other businesses offering food, beverages, or alcoholic beverages may offer indoor and outdoor dining service.
• Gymnasiums may resume group workout classes and personal training under restrictions that also include attendance records for the purpose of contact tracing.
• Performance venues such as movie theaters and concert halls may re-open in a limited capacity.
• Childcare centers and home daycares will be permitted to have up to 25 people per classroom.
No new modifications have been made to Teton County’s Recommendation #7, stating individuals should wear cloth face coverings in public, particularly when in settings where it’s difficult to keep 6 feet between people.
Teton County Health Department has developed a color-coded public health guidance system that monitors risks to the general public and businesses. The risk categories present a simple, descriptive means to notify the public of the current risk or note when a significant change has occurred. Teton County is now currently in orange.
• Red means high risk for all Teton County residents.
• Orange means moderate risk for everyone except high-risk individuals.
• Yellow means low risk for everyone except high-risk individuals.
• Green indicates a “new normal” risk for everyone except high-risk individuals.
Teton County’s Roadmap to Recovery Plan, state health orders and county recommendations, and a COVID-19 Response Dashboard with local and state statistics, demographics, and community impacts can all be found at jhcovid.com and the Teton County’s Health Department web site at http://www.tetonwyo.org/163/Health-Dept.
See orders and other information at JHCOVID.COM
