CHEYENNE – Wyoming will utilize a data-driven approach to loosening portions of Governor Mark Gordon’s three closure orders beginning on May 1.
During a press conference last week, Gordon released the matrix the Wyoming Department of Health will be using to make decisions on loosening the state’s restrictions to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Gordon unveiled six metrics the state will consider before altering one of the public health orders – new cases, percent of cases by community spread, percent of all tests that are positive, COVID hospital admissions, total hospital bed availability, and total intensive care unit availability. The metrics will be graded concerning, stabilizing or improving.
At this time, all of the metrics are graded ‘stabilizing,’ except for community spread and COVID-19 hospital admissions, which are ‘concerning.’
“Our transition plan seeks to ease some of the restrictions, while continuing to protect the public health,” Gordon said. “I’ve said before, this will not be a light switch. We are building a plane as we are flying it, and with your help, and I stress with your help, we’ll keep it in the air.”

Gordon, who said last week the state’s approach will be data-driven and not date-driven, emphasized that the state will make methodical moves in the interest of the economy and public health.
“We will be taking very slow, incremental and thoughtful steps on how to ease these restrictions in Wyoming,” he said.
According to the metric dashboard, which was distributed on Wednesday, all of the categories “will be carefully and continually evaluated before easing restrictions.” The dashboard said that health officials will also consider testing capacity, medical supplies, the current disease situation, new information and other potential developments regarding the pandemic.
The orders will be modified in the coming weeks, Gordon said, and will allow some – but not all – businesses to re-open, though neither he nor State Health Officer Dr. Alexia Harrist went into detail about which businesses would be affected or which parts of the orders will be modified. According to the metrics dashboard restrictions could stay in place, or even tighten, given the situation.
Gordon said that county health officers will be able to examine their individual county’s status and submit requests to re-open some businesses.
“Before the current health orders expire on April 30, we will modify them in order to allow us to move to the next phase,” he said. “The new orders, which we plan to release next week, will continue through May 15 with some easing of restrictions on certain businesses. The orders will allow county health officers to submit requests for variances from those orders on a county-wide basis.”
The governor did mention that some specific businesses will be able to re-open with modifications.
“Businesses that will likely be allowed to open under the new orders with additional modifications necessary to protect the health of customers and employees will include barber shops, cosmetologists and gyms,” he said.
“I know there are questions about bars and restaurants, and through our task forces we are working to address these types of businesses. It is critical that we be measured in our approach given the additional health risks associated with these businesses.”