Wyoming’s public health orders related to COVID-19 have eased as active case counts continue to decline locally and statewide. On Thursday, February 25, Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon announced the changes, which took effect on March 1.
Public Health Order #3, which imposed restrictions on hair and nail salons, barber shops, tattoo and massage parlors and other similar personal care services has been removed completely. In addition, attendance limits for indoor and outdoor gatherings will increase once again and protocols for restaurant and theater operations will be adjusted. Indoor gatherings that incorporate social distancing and face coverings are permitted for up to 25 percent of capacity or 1,000 persons, and outdoor gatherings of up to 2,000 persons. In addition, sporting events and artistic performances will see participation limits eased.
The statewide mask order, which went into effect December 9, was once again extended for the fourth time. The order now remains in effect until March 15, requiring a face covering in indoor public settings.
Health Orders are expected to continue to relax amid vaccination efforts and a decline in cases. “The efforts made so far have allowed us to maximize attendance safely at larger events like the state high school wrestling championships this weekend and the state high school basketball tournament that was cancelled last year,” Gov. Mark Gordon stated in a press release. “If we continue on our current trajectory, I expect us to be able to continue to remove orders as we safely return to a new normal.”
As of February 25, more than 16 percent of the state’s population has received at least one vaccine dose. All Wyoming counties are now in phase 1b of the phased distribution plan, which includes adults 65 and over, frontline essential workers, and individuals with medical conditions that put them at higher risk.
As of the Monday afternoon update from the Wyoming Department of Health, there were 19 active confirmed cases of the virus in Lincoln County with an additional three probable cases. The Wyoming Department of Health reports 1054 confirmed active COVID-19 cases statewide.
