SALT LAKE CITY — Tucked into Governor Gary Herbert's latest executive order moving Utah from a "red" to "orange" risk level, a provision that allows bars to re-open.
But only if they follow some strict protocols issued by the Utah Department of Health.
Those provisions include strict social distancing protocols, keeping employees and patrons six feet apart to avoid the spread of COVID-19, as well as hygiene and sanitization guidelines. Staffers must wear face coverings and contactless payments (i.e., "cashless" payments) are strongly encouraged. Patrons are also asked to voluntarily provide contact information that can be used to assist with contract tracing.
The rules apply to restaurants and food trucks as well.
Utah's Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, which regulates all bars and restaurants who serve liquor, referred FOX 13 to the governor's office when asked about the new regulations and whether they applied to bars. The guidelines issued with the governor's executive order covering industry-specific guidelines included bars.
Read the Utah Department of Health's guidelines here:
