The order, which goes into effect Friday morning, applies to all adults regardless of how they enter the state. The governor’s office said Thursday visitors will get instructions on how to register their travel plans via an automatic text message when they arrive in the state.
“I am impressed with the extraordinary things that Utahns are doing each day to help one another stay safe and stay home. In recent days, however, we have seen an uptick in travel on our roads,” Herbert said in a statement.
“We need to limit our travel to essential purposes only. Our goal is to trace potential cases of Covid-19 in inbound travelers.”
“These directives are not to be confused with a shelter-in-place order,” his instructions state.
This approach runs counter to guidance from Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, who has repeatedly said he doesn’t understand why every state hasn’t issued stay-at-home orders.
In response, a growing number of governors have called for a unified front among states to issues stay-at-home orders.
“Our message is this: ‘What are you waiting for?'” California Gov. Gavin Newsom told CNN when asked about governors who haven’t followed suit.
“What more evidence do you need? If you think it’s not going to happen to you, there are many proof points all across this country; for that matter, around the rest of the world.”