As COVID-19 cases have spiked within Wyoming and Sweetwater County, with total 78 confirmed cases as of Monday morning and 42 recorded recoveries since the start of the pandemic, Gov. Mark Gordon is urging residents to wear masks when in public as he extends current public health orders until July 15.
A press release from the governor’s office Monday announced his intent to not change public health orders.
“It is clear from the recent increase in cases statewide that the dual threat of COVID-19 to both the health of our citizens and the health of our economy is not going away,” Gordon said in the release. “No one wants to see the progress we have made vanish, but that requires each of us to make a concerted effort to slow the spread of the virus. It is really simple and depends on everyone practicing good hygiene, social distancing and doing their best to wear a mask in public where social distancing isn’t possible. It’s the way you and our economy will both stay healthy.”
The move keeps the Green River Chamber of Commerce’s annual River Festival in limbo. Lisa Hererra, CEO of the chamber, said the chamber board will have a meeting Thursday to determine if events like the Shrimp Boil will go on. Local officials previously believed Gordon planned to ease outdoor gathering restrictions in an announcement this week.
Gordon does have a statewide press conference scheduled Wednesday afternoon, however it’s unclear what will be discussed beyond reopening schools. The chamber has announced it will host the Duck Race fundraiser, Run with the Horses Marathon and Flaunt Your Fish events regardless of if the festival as a whole takes place or not.
A few events and attractions have already been cancelled because of the uptick in recorded coronavirus infections as well. Sweetwater County Travel and Tourism decided to delay offering tours of the Flaming Gorge area until 2021. The paid tour, originally set to start July 9, aims to take people on a day-long trek along the Flaming Gorge Loop Tour in a motor coach, with a step-on tour guide.
While the tours have been postponed, the grand opening of the organization’s visitors center in Rock Springs took place Wednesday as scheduled.
Jenissa Meredith, executive director of Sweetwater County Travel and Tourism, did not respond to further questions regarding the decision to shelve the tours.
The Community Fine Arts Center in Rock Springs also announced the postponement of its Maurice Sendak exhibit until 2022. Sendak was a children’s book author and illustrator, known mainly for his book “Where the Wild Things Are.”
The Rock Springs Main Street/Urban Renewal Agency has also opted to cancel its long-running Blues and Brew events this year.
“It’s our biggest fundraiser of the year and, more importantly, something the community looks forward to. Canceling this year was a very tough decision,” Chad Banks, the Main Street/URA manager said in a press release.
The event is scheduled to take place Aug. 14, 2021.
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