Friday evening, March 13, 2020
STATE
Utah Schools In “Soft Closure”
Gov. Gary Herbert announced Friday that all public schools in the state will be dismissed starting Monday. He called the move a “soft closure,” with in-person classes suspended for two weeks. But students will still be taught either online or through work that is sent home. State officials say teachers will remain at school and the dismissal allows districts to work out the details for themselves. Schools can also remain open for students who need access to computers or the internet and will also provide food to students who rely on school meals. Read the full story. — Jon Reed
Campaigns Shift Tactics
From canceling church meetings to shifting all university classes online, Utahns have seen a series of fast-paced changes to daily life in the face of the novel coronavirus. And the state’s political processes are not immune. Read the full story. — David Fuchs, St. George
Candidate Filings By Proxy
Gov. Gary Herbert issued an executive order that will allow people to file declarations of candidacy through a designated representative. Normally, people hoping to run for office are required to file in person. Herbert said this will let those who are in self-quarantine, or who might be ill, still participate in the political process. — Caroline Ballard
NORTHERN UTAH
Drive-Through Testing
Steward Health Care is opening three drive-through COVID-19 testing sites. Patients will have to be referred by their primary care doctors to receive the test. A screening will then be done in their car. Tests are available starting Friday at Davis Hospital in Layton, Jordan Valley Medical Center in West Jordan, and Mountain Point Medical Center in Lehi. — Caroline Ballard
Jazz To Honor Or Refund Tickets
The Utah Jazz announced Friday, they will honor tickets purchased for games if and when they are rescheduled. But people can also request a refund. The NBA suspended its season earlier this week after Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19. Gobert’s positive revelation came just minutes before the team was set to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in Oklahoma. Another Jazz player, Donovan Mitchell, tested positive for the disease a few hours later. The NBA expects the season to be suspended for at least 30 days. — Ross Terrell
REGION
Sports Betting Takes A Hit
Several sporting events and tournaments are being canceled across the country and our region, amid concerns over COVID-19. And that is affecting one industry in particular: sports betting. Last year, Nevada sports books made $36.5 million in the month of March — on basketball alone. The true financial impact won’t be known until first quarter earnings are released next month. — Noah Glick, Mountain West News Bureau
WORLD
LDS Temple Closures
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will end most attendance to its temples in response to COVID-19 concerns. In areas where governments have suggested halting public or religious gatherings, temples will be closed outright. In other areas they’ll remain open only by appointment for small wedding ceremonies or Church members who are attending for the first time. Thursday, Church officials announced that all regular Sunday worship services are suspended worldwide. — Lee Hale