Editor’s note: The Salt Lake Tribune is providing free access to critical stories about the coronavirus. Sign up for our Top Stories newsletter, sent to your inbox every weekday morning. To support journalism like this, please donate or become a subscriber.
It’s Sunday, May 3. We’ll provide the latest coronavirus updates involving Utah throughout the day.
[Read complete coronavirus coverage here.]
---
5:55 p.m.: The Gateway and Station Park shopping centers to reopen
Two other shopping centers announced Sunday that they have either reopened or will do so in the next two weeks. The Gateway in downtown Salt Lake City will open some stores starting Monday, while others are expanding offerings.
For example, HallPass food hall was already open for delivery and takeout. But on Monday, its takeout menu and hours will expand.
Momi Donuts resumed its regular hours Saturday, and Rocky Mountain Chocolate did the same Friday. Mystery Escape Room reopened in-person reservations Friday after offering online escape rooms and games.
Fleming’s Steakhouse & Wine Bar will begin taking reservations for in-house dining starting Mother’s Day, which is May 10. Visit The Gateway’s website for the complete list of what is available is what is still closed.
Station Park in Farmington announced on its website that it has opened and that individual store hours may vary. The shopping mall posted a detailed document that outlines what guests can expect when they visit.
Some of the measures the mall says it has implemented are modifications to common seating areas in adherence of social distancing rules, scaling down of large events to “small intimate experiences,” strategically placed hand sanitizer stations and more.
— Alex Vejar
3:30 p.m.: City Creek Center to reopen
City Creek Center has announced it will reopen this week.
On Wednesday, the downtown Salt Lake City shopping center will open its doors at 11 a.m. and operate under a reduced daily schedule. The website notes that individual store and restaurant hours may vary.
It says the mall is putting the health and safety of shoppers “above all else” by:
• Using signs and decals to help customers practice social distancing.
• Cleaning and disinfecting the center throughout the day and after hours, with a focus on high-touch, high-traffic surfaces.
• Using a stronger disinfectant when available.
• Offering hand sanitizer at designated stations.
• Providing wipes for strollers as supplies last.
• Closing play areas.
• Turning off drinking fountains.
• Removing furniture and/or resetting seating areas in common areas and food courts to allow for greater social distancing.
• Removing trays from food courts to reduce the amount of high-touch surfaces.
• Encouraging the use of masks and gloves where it is not already mandated by local, state or federal laws.
• Allowing mall walkers access to do what they love, but during a more limited time frame.
“We will continue to comply with all local, state and federal laws and mandates to ensure a safe environment,” the mall said.
— Alex Vejar
12:55 p.m.: Fashion Place mall to reopen
Fashion Place, the centrally located Murray mall that attracts shoppers from across the Salt Lake Valley, has announced on its website that it will open Tuesday.
Fourteen businesses are listed as “operating with limited hours,” and shoppers are encouraged to call ahead for specifics.
Five businesses are open for curbside pickup only. Those are AT&T, Buckle, Journeys, Journeys Kidz and Nordstrom.
The other businesses are California Pizza Kitchen, The Cheesecake Factory, Corner Bakery, Cupbop, Chick-fil-A, LensCrafters, Olive Garden, Red Rock Place and The Container Store.
— Alex Vejar
12:20 p.m.: Utah deaths hit 50
Utah has reached 50 deaths from COVID-19, the Utah Department of Health reported Sunday.
The person who died was a female from Salt Lake County who was hospitalized. She was between ages 45 and 64 and had a history of underlying health conditions.
The department also reported 194 new cases of COVID-19 Sunday, bringing the total of confirmed cases in the state to 5,175. That’s a 3.7% increase and the second largest single-day jump since 203 new cases were logged on April 2.
The number of tests rose by 4,298, upping the total to 122,102. The rate of positive test results is 4.2%.
Utah noted 18 additional hospitalizations. The total tally of hospitalizations since the pandemic arrived in the state now stands at 436.
The department also reported that 2,283 cases in the state are considered recovered, which means someone was diagnosed with the coronavirus more than three weeks ago and has not died.
— Alex Vejar
11:35 a.m.: Midway’s Swiss Days canceled
One of the largest summer festivals in Utah has been canceled due to COVID-19.
Midway Swiss Days, which attracts up to 100,000 people to Wasatch County’s Midway every year, won’t happen.
The decision was made “under direction from the Wasatch Health Department,” according to the Midway Boosters website.
The event, a summer staple since the 1940s, was scheduled for Sept. 4 and 5.
It’s considered one of the biggest such festivals in the state, featuring a 10K race, arts and crafts, food and other entertainment.
Wasatch County, as of Saturday, has had 156 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus, seven hospitalizations and one death.
— Alex Vejar
9:40 a.m.: Zion to reopen ‘select areas’ as national parks begin to return
Another Utah national park will open soon.
“Select areas” of Zion, the most popular of Utah’s “Mighty 5” national parks, will be available to the public starting May 13. The park did not specify which areas but will have updates in the coming days.
“As we move forward, the health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners will guide our operational approach to examine each facility function and service and ensure those operations comply with current public health guidance,” the park said on its website.
The National Park Service closed Zion on April 3. Arches and Canyonlands are still closed until further notice. Capitol Reef plans a limited reopening Tuesday followed by Bryce Canyon on Wednesday.
— Alex Vejar
