Governor Gordon extends statewide closures to April 17

On Friday afternoon (March 27), Governor Mark Gordon issued a statement that he was extending the date of three statewide health orders through April 17. All three orders, the most recent of which was issued March 24, originally had an end date of April 3. At a press conference on March 25, Gordon stated that he was hesitant to issue a statewide shelter-in-place order, something which the governors of Montana and Colorado have already done.

All three orders from Gordon have been in conjunction with Dr. Alexia Harrist, the State Health Officer, and have been aimed at attempting to slow the spread of COVID-19. The first order, which came March 20, closed down schools, gyms, restaurants and bars to the public while allowing bars and restaurants to provide service through other means. The second order placed a prohibition of on gatherings of 10 or more people and the third order closed "non-essential personal services" such as nail salons, hair salons, tattoo shops and massage parlors.

“I have extended these orders in consultation with Dr. Harrist,” said Gordon. “Because we’ve seen cases identified in additional counties and growth in the case numbers, it’s clear how important it is for us to take sustained action. I understand the ongoing strain that these measures are having on businesses, workers and Wyoming communities. But it is imperative that our citizens respond to this public health crisis by staying home whenever possible and practicing proper social distancing when they must go out. This is how we can save lives and protect people’s health.”

As these orders are being extended, Wyoming is seeing an increase in confirmed cases of COVID-19, which a total of 70 as of 4 p.m. on March 27. More than 40 confirmed cases have been announced by the Wyoming Department of Health within the past week. As of March 24, Wyoming had been at 29 cases. Three of those cases have been in Carbon County and it was announced today that Washakie County had their first case. The majority of cases are in Fremont and Laramie counties with 17 while Teton County is at 10. According to the Wyoming Department of Health, 17 of the cases have recovered. One of those recoveries are in Carbon County, according to the Carbon County COVID-19 Response Team.

“The best tool we have to reduce the potential burden on our healthcare system and save lives is for all of us to limit our contact with other people as much as possible,” Harrist said. “Of course it is most important for people who are ill to stay home unless they need medical attention.”