SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (ABC4 News) – As states across the country take steps toward reopening, public health officials continue to emphasize the importance of wearing a mask in public places.
If you live in – or visit – the city of Springdale, Summit, Grand or Salt Lake counties, masks are mandatory at specific places like businesses.
Monday, an ABC4 visited local shops in Salt Lake County – where masks are required – and Utah County where masks are simply encouraged.
After several stops at Salt Lake County stores, ABC4 News counted about 85 people wearing a mask in or out of the store, and less than five were not wearing one at the time.
A quick drive over the county line, into Utah County, ABC4 News stopped at more local businesses, counting more than 65 people wearing a mask, and nearly 20 were not wearing one.
Eric Perry, a Utah resident, said he believes wearing a mask should be a choice.
“I still wear them to a point. Where say, if I go to Utah County, I won’t. Or if I go to Ogden, I won’t,” Perry said. “Because I don’t have to, technically.”
And Lara Durrant, another Utah resident, said she wears a mask when she goes into businesses where necessary, or when social distancing is not possible.
“I know for me personally, I have family members and friends that are immunocompromised or just in a situation if they were to get it, it would cause real health problems,” Durrant said. “So, I try to wear it as much as I can.”
According to a recent Pew Research study, it finds about two-thirds of Americans say they regularly wear a mask.
