Statewide Public Health Orders Reach Expected Endgame

May 21, 2021

Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) Announces Likely Endgame of Statewide Public Health Orders Related to COVID-19 Pandemic, Including Immediate Removal of One of Two Remaining Orders .

Statewide Public Health Order No. 2, which affected events inside more than 500 people, is now phased out.

The use of masks and the physical distancing requirements in the state’s No. 1 Public Health Order for K-12 schools will remain until May 31, while the same requirements for colleges will be immediately eliminated. A statewide extension of Public Health Order No.1 after May 31 is not planned.

“We are making these changes now because we are confident in the effectiveness of currently licensed COVID-19 vaccines. We are seeing great results among those who have been vaccinated. Vaccines do their job very well, ”said Dr Alexia Harrist, public health officer and state epidemiologist at WDH.

WDH data shows that more than 28% of Wyoming residents are fully vaccinated and more people are choosing vaccines every day.

“There is no doubt that we would like to see a much higher percentage of coverage,” said Harrist. “But adults, including college students, across our state have had ample opportunity to choose vaccination at this point,” Harrist said. “The change to the schools and colleges ordinance will reflect recently updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”

Harrist noted that the Pfizer vaccine was recently made available to 12-15 year olds in addition to anyone over 16. Moderna and Johnson and Johnson (Janssen) vaccines are authorized for adults 18 years of age and older. No COVID-19 vaccine is yet authorized for children under 12.

“Unfortunately, COVID-19 has not completely disappeared. We continue to see confirmed cases statewide. The vast majority of recent new cases involved people who were not yet fully vaccinated, ”Harrist said.

“I strongly encourage anyone who is eligible but has not yet been vaccinated to do so as soon as possible. These vaccines are free, safe and effective. They offer many benefits, such as the ability to bypass quarantine after exposure to COVID-19, and are the best way we have to thwart the pandemic, ”she said.

Harrist expects specific protocols for the safe operation of K-12 schools during the pandemic to be determined at the school district level after June 1. representatives. It will be important to monitor local health situations. “

WDH continues to recommend, but not require, masks in indoor public places for people who are not fully vaccinated when common sense physical distance cannot be maintained among those who do not live in the same household.

“There are specific places where precautions such as the use of a mask are always recommended for everyone, such as health care facilities including nursing homes and assisted living facilities, correctional facilities and homeless shelters, ”said Harrist. “Businesses and private organizations may also choose to require masks and other precautions. We ask individuals to meet the requirements in these contexts. “

Information on obtaining a COVID-19 vaccine in Wyoming is available at https://health.wyo.gov/publichealth/immunization/wyoming-covid-19-vaccine-information/.

The updated remaining order, which is effective immediately and remains in effect until May 31, can be viewed online at https://health.wyo.gov/publichealth/infectious-disease-epidemiology-unit / disease / novel-coronavirus / covid -19-orders-and-advice /.