Gov. Herbert Announces "A Mask for Every Utahn" Project

Statement

Today, Gov. Gary R. Herbert and Lt. Gov. Spencer J. Cox announced "A Mask for Every Utahn,' a public-private partnership to provide a free face mask to Utahns who don't have one. Masks, along with social distancing, will play an important role as more people return to work and everyday activities, and we all work to reactivate the Utah economy.

The state of Utah, through an arrangement with the Utah Manufacturers Association and Cotopaxi, purchased two million face masks to help protect the health of Utahns during the global COVID-19 pandemic. The state's order for masks helped employ over 200 Utahns by keeping local manufacturers open.

The federal CARES Act provided funding for the masks. The Utah Manufacturers Association has coordinated with manufacturers throughout the state to produce 1.5 million masks, and Cotopaxi will provide 500,000 masks. All masks will be made in Utah.

With the critical role that masks will play in the next phases of recovery, the state will provide one mask to each resident who needs one through various distribution channels. It will also mail, upon request and free of charge, up to six masks to each Utah residential address. Priority for masks is given to essential employees returning to work and vulnerable populations, such as those who are over 65 years of age.

"We want to do everything we can as we work together as a state to combat COVID-19," said Gov. Herbert. "Wearing a mask when we are out in public may not be convenient, but it can help slow the spread of the virus. Let's all do our part in stopping the spread and helping to protect those around us."

Masks were ordered by the state and will be mailed free of charge to Utahns. Wearing a mask in public will be the new norm, at least until we have a vaccine for COVID-19, to help protect health and foster economic recovery.

Any Utahn can request a mask at coronavirus.utah.gov/mask. While the state has some masks ready to ship now, it may take one to two weeks to receive new masks, and up to another week to complete shipments to Utah residents.

Masks will also be distributed to first responders through the state's emergency management offices. Due to expected significant demand, residents should not take or request masks if they already have access to one, and should not collect multiple masks for future use or to give or sell to others.

Critical businesses should ask employees who still need masks to order them at coronavirus.utah.gov/mask. If the workers select the option of identifying themselves as working in an essential industry, they will be designated for first-batch delivery.

In the coming weeks, masks will also be available to underserved populations through nonprofits, especially those that operate food service programs, and at grocery and convenience stores willing to distribute them. Nonprofits and stores interested in partnering with the state should send an email to mask@utah.gov.

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