PROVO — Provo officials released the city’s COVID-19 recovery plan Monday, centering it around the phrase “proceed with caution” as officials say they want to balance moving forward with an appropriate level of caution.
“Traffic signs provide direction, signify danger, help us navigate unfamiliar territory and enable us to safely interact with each other — but only if the public voluntarily complies,” said Provo Mayor Michelle Kaufusi. “Likewise, our success at conquering COVID-19 requires the same level of public cooperation.”
She praised city residents for their work so far in abiding by Gov. Gary Herbert’s coronavirus response plan, including the social distancing guidelines, hygiene recommendations and other directives included in the comprehensive 16-page plan.
“We wouldn’t be to this phase we are today and having this conversation if it wasn’t for the citizens of Provo,” Kaufusi said. “They’ve been so helpful and so good at self-regulating.”
Kaufusi said Provo’s plan to gradually loosen restrictions is taking the lead from the state’s economic recovery plan, aided by recommendations from the Utah County Department of Health.
Herbert lowered the state’s COVID-19 risk level from high risk to moderate risk last week in part because the state has increased its testing capacity. Positive cases can be identified quickly and traced in a manner to effectively prevent additional spread, according to Dr. Angela Dunn, state epidemiologist with the Utah Department of Health.
The health department will also introduce strike teams to handle outbreaks within communities, which will include mobile testing and investigation efforts, especially in parts of Salt Lake and Utah counties where hot spots exist.
Kaufusi said the phrase “proceed with caution” was chosen for moving forward in the city because it “captures the balance taken as Provo begins cautiously opening our economy — forward momentum, but with the knowledge that risk still exists.”
The success of the plan, she said, depends on everyone taking their responsibilities seriously, as individuals and as a community.
Under this plan, city parks and recreation facilities like the Covey Center for the Arts, Peaks Ice Arena, Provo Shooting Sports Park and the Provo Recreation Center will open Tuesday under certain caveats and restrictions, Kaufusi said. The Provo City Library at Academy Square will remain closed, but will continue with curbside pickup services. The Senior Center will not open nor will senior programming resume until the state transitions into a low-risk phase.
Ralph Clegg, the executive director of the county health department, said he supports Kaufusi’s route to open the city and listed a few additional guidelines that the public should abide by.
Masks should be worn in public whenever possible and groups should be limited to under 20 as per the governor’s directives, he said. Nonessential travel should still be limited, businesses should work with employees to ensure they are able to stay at home if they are sick and people still work from home whenever possible.
Clegg said businesses have largely done quite well, but he noted a few situations where outbreaks have occurred because employers forced staff to work.
Another aspect of Kaufusi’s plan is a voluntary pledge program so businesses and individuals can signal a “unified community commitment.” This comes in the form of a vinyl cling that can be displayed on business doors and car and house windows to symbolize adherence to the state’s safety protocols.
“It is important to note that we will regularly monitor public compliance, COVID-19 case data and health expert advice to determine if we need to tighten restrictions again,” she said. “If we need to pull back, we will pull back.”
The Provo website outlines the city’s responsibility and includes a version for businesses.
Kaufusi said the best part of the plan is that it is positive.
“Even though it’s proceed with caution — there’s no way I was going to push something out of my office, with my stamp on it, that doesn’t come across as ‘think positive, look for a bright future, we are moving in the right direction,’” she said.