Governor Mark Gordon and the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) have announced the removal of a health order addressing operations of personal care services, along with a continued relaxing of COVID-19 protocols.  This comes a day after WDH announced it is expanding who may pre-register to receive the shots.

Health Order No. 3, which addresses operations of barbershops, nail and hair salons, tattoo parlors and other personal care services, is being eliminated on March 1.  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.

“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 canceled last year,” Gov. Gordon said.  “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% of the state’s population has received at least one vaccine dose, one of the highest rates in the country.

People who are 65 years of age and older, those with medical conditions listed in Phase 1b, and caregivers of people who have medical conditions noted in Phase 1b who are unable to be vaccinated can now pre-register to receive a vaccine.  The expansion includes people with specific diagnosed illnesses or conditions that put them at greater risk of more serious COVID-19 disease.  More information can be found here.

“As the pandemic has continued, we have seen that people with certain health challenges are clearly more likely to become severely ill when they are infected with COVID-19,” said Dr. Alexia Harrist, state health officer and state epidemiologist with WDH.  “These vaccines can help protect these individuals.”

Certain groups of essential frontline workers who interact with the public and cannot consistently physically distance themselves from others are also listed in Phase 1b.  Vaccinations for these groups will mostly be arranged through employers, who should expect to be contacted by local public health agencies to schedule vaccinations for their workers.

“It’s very important for people to understand counties are moving through the priority groups at different paces based on the number of people in each group and uptake at the county level,” said Angie Van Houten, Community Health Section chief with WDH.  “This means there are differences in progress and availability based on where you live.”

Here is a quick list of changes to Wyoming public health orders:

Changes to Public Health Order #1

  • Further easing restrictions on restaurants and theaters. Groups of up to 10 will now be permitted to sit together, up
  • from 8 (see Order #2 as well).
  • Buffets and self-service will be allowed in restaurants.
  • Staff screening logs and signage requirements will be relaxed.

Changes to Public Health Order #2

  • Gatherings (without required distancing between groups) are limited to 50 individuals (previously 25).
  • Indoor events may allow up to 25% of venue capacity with a maximum of 1,000 people (up from 500). Groups of up to 10 will now be permitted to sit together, up from 8.
  • Outdoor events may allow up to 50% of venue capacity with a maximum of 2,000 people (up from 1,000). Groups of up to 10 will now be permitted to sit together, up from 8.
  • Participants in organized sporting events and artistic performances shall not congregate in groups larger than 50 individuals (up from 25).

Changes to Public Health Order #3

  • Order #3 will be eliminated, March 1

Continuation of Statewide Order for Mask Use (Public Health Order #4)

  • The use of masks statewide will continue with this round of orders.