CHEYENNE– Many questions have come up regarding the modified COVID-19 Coronavirus public health orders, which Governor Mark Gordon and Josh Dorrell, CEO of the Wyoming Business Council, addressed during a press conference on Wednesday.
Both Governor Gordon and Dorrell clarified that authorized businesses such as gyms, hair salons, nail salons, barber shops, tattoo and body piercing shops, and childcare facilities may open May 1 and do not need special permission to do so. They must follow the restrictions set forth, which includes limiting the number of people in a room at one time to less than 10 individuals.
The limiting of less than 10 people in a room at once is a total count of both staff and patrons.
The authorized businesses have been chosen to reopen in limited capacity, and not businesses such as restaurants and bars, because Governor Gordon said the state believes these authorized businesses are better able to limit the number of patrons and exposure.
Variances
Businesses not included in the authorized businesses listed above may apply for variances through the counties, which must be approved by the county health officials as well as the Wyoming Department of Health.
Dorrell noted that though there is a variance process, and they want these to be available for businesses, they must issue these “in a smart way”.
He said counties should look at issuing variances countywide rather than giving several different individual exceptions.
This week, the Wyoming Business Council started holding online webinars to address Wyoming residents’ questions. A common question they received was whether authorized businesses are required to open May 1. Dorrell said they do not have to open up, but they should be prepared to open up to ensure they can operate safely when they choose to do so.
“Personal Responsibility is the Best Way”
Governor Gordon said unauthorized businesses that open early, or authorized businesses that do not follow guidelines can face consequences, as these orders are “enforceable by law”. However, he said Wyomingites are a people with personal responsibility who he believes do not have to be told what to do.
“The point here is not, can we go against the government,” Governor Gordon said. “The point here is how do we get all our businesses open, running well, how do we make sure people continue to think of Wyoming as a great place to come to, a safe place to come to, a place where people have common sense, take personal responsibility for their behaviors.”
He commended Wyomingites for their work in slowing the spread of COVID-19 thus far, and believes they will continue their efforts.
“Wyoming people know that personal responsilibility is the best way. We ask people rather than tell them what to do, and Wyoming people have really stood up, and I would expect them to continue to do that,” Governor Gordon said.
The full video of the press conference can be found below.
