Panel considers variances for restaurants & churches
by Sublette COVID-19 Task Group
May 7, 2020
The Sublette County review panel established to consider requests for variances and exceptions to statewide health orders met Tuesday afternoon, and considered a countywide variance request that would allow restaurants in the county to reopen with certain restrictions.
With input from the panel, and from local business owners, Sublette County Health Officer (CHO) Dr. Brendan Fitzsimmons has agreed to finalize a recommendation to allow the restaurants to reopen for in-house dining with specific restrictions. That recommendation then moves on to Wyoming State Public Health Officer Dr. Alexia Harrist for a decision.
The panel also considered a countywide variance request for churches to resume allowing larger congregations with precautions to protect public health. Based on recommendations from the panel, Dr. Fitzsimmons has agreed to develop health precautions for churches and forward his recommendation of approval to Dr. Harrist for a decision.
Although both variance requests were looked upon favorably by the panel, they must now move on for review by State Health Officer Harrist and the State Attorney General’s Office for a final decision.
The panel consists of CHO Fitzsimmons with Sheriff K.C. Lehr, County Commissioners Tom Noble and Mack Rawhouser, and County Attorney Mike Crosson. The panel is scheduled to meet again on Monday, May 11th to consider any other requests for variances or exceptions that are submitted to Dr. Fitzsimmons. Variances are for categories of businesses or activities (such as restaurants and churches countywide), while exception requests are for individual businesses. Industries and organizations are encouraged to work with similar groups in making a variance request, and the Sublette County Chamber of Commerce can assist in that effort. Variance requests should be made in a letter to Dr. Fitzsimmons, following the "Wyoming Guidance for Public Officials on COVID-19."
Requests for exceptions should be made by filling out the Exception Application form, and must also comply with the state guidance document mentioned previously. It should be noted by potential applicants that the Wyoming Public Health Orders are currently set to expire on May 15th.
The variance order and/or exception application process may take longer than May 15th to receive approval from the State Health Officer and State Attorney General. For more information on the application process, and the exception application form, check: sublettewycovid.com
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