By Ellen Fike, Cowboy State Daily
Wyoming’s current public health orders will be extended through July 15, since the number of coronavirus cases continues to rise, Gov. Mark Gordon announced Monday.
The number of coronavirus cases confirmed in the past two weeks, makes up 25% of Wyoming’s total number of lab-confirmed cases diagnosed since the illness was first detected in Wyoming in mid-March. Of a total of 1,144 cases seen since March, 288 new cases have been confirmed since the current orders went into effect on June 15.
New cases of the virus have been reported in 15 counties, indicating increased transmission within Wyoming communities.
Gordon continued to emphasize personal responsibility and stressed a cooperative effort by business owners and patrons is required to prevent businesses from being forced to close in the face of growing case numbers.
“It is clear from the recent increase in cases statewide that the dual threat of COVID-19 to both the health of our citizens and the health of our economy is not going away,” Gordon said in a news release. “No one wants to see the progress we have made vanish, but that requires each of us to make a concerted effort to slow the spread of the virus. It is really simple and depends on everyone practicing good hygiene, social distancing and doing their best to wear a mask in public where social distancing isn’t possible. It’s the way you and our economy will both stay healthy.”
The Wyoming Department of Health and Gordon continued to recommend the use of face coverings in public settings where it’s not possible or reasonable to stay physically apart.
The continuing orders allow gatherings up to 50 persons in a confined space to occur without restrictions and permit events of up to 250 persons to proceed with social distancing and increased sanitization measures in place.
Faith-based gatherings such as church services and funeral homes will continue to be permitted to operate without restrictions, with appropriate social distancing encouraged.
All public health restrictions that apply to restaurants, bars, gyms and performance spaces will remain in place. Those restrictions include seating no more than six people at a table, making sure tables are at least six feet apart, requiring staff who get close to customers to wear face masks and disinfecting the business three times daily.
