Courtesy of the City of Cody, Facebook

Less than two hours after Laramie County announced restrictions for businesses like bars and restaurants, the City of Cody has followed suit. Both communities citing concerns over the growing COVID-19 pandemic.

The City of Cody’s full statement follows:

It has been determined that a method to control the community spread of the Novel Coronavirus is to limit large gatherings of people. This order may reduce the likelihood that individuals that may have been exposed to the COVID-19 will spread the virus to others. Therefore, the Public Health Order addresses the following:

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Gatherings are limited to ten (10) people for social, spiritual, and recreational activities, including, but not limited to: community, civic, public, leisure, faith-based, or sporting events; and parades, concerts, festivals, conventions, fundraisers, and similar activities. o These numbers include employees.

These restrictions do not apply to: grocery stores and other stores selling essential items; Yellowstone Regional Airport; government facilities; pharmacies; hospitals; or medical clinics.

The following establishments are hereby closed in Park County, Wyoming:

– Childcare centers (excluding those facilities caring exclusively for children of essential personnel); restaurants, bars, nightclubs, saloons, taverns, and tasting rooms; employee cafeterias; self-serve buffets; salad bars; unpackaged self-serve food services; golf clubs and country clubs; communal pools, hot tubs, locker rooms, saunas, steam rooms, fitness centers, gyms, conference rooms, and museums.

Restaurants may remain open if the restaurant notifies the Park County Health Officer that the restaurant intends to remain open and follow these procedures:

Prohibition on all dine-in food service, whether inside or outside the establishment, and prohibition on admitting guests, patrons, and customers inside the establishment.

Allow curbside take-out or drive-thru food service, discouraging the customer from using cash as a payment method. Staff members who take cash or credit card payments shall use cleansing measures between transactions, including use of best practices approved by the Park County Health Officer. Where possible, online and telephonic credit card transactions are highly encouraged (e.g., Venmo, Cash App, Google Pay, Apple Pay, etc.). Staff who handle cash or credit cards shall not be involved in the preparation, handling, or delivery of food.

Employees must take food items to the curb and exchange through the vehicle window.

For hotel restaurants, food items may only be delivered as room service or curbside service, as described above.

Management shall ensure, on a daily basis, that no employee who presents symptoms of illness will be permitted to work.

General Business (Business Occupancies)

All businesses not listed above remaining open to the public are limited to 10 people and shall make an attempt to implement measures of social distancing, including settings to be able to accommodate patrons with at least six (6) feet distance from other patrons, to help prevent initial exposure and secondary transmission to our most vulnerable populations. These measures are especially important for people over 60 years old and those with chronic health conditions due to higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

The full order can be found here: bit.ly/parkcountycoronavirus

Behaviors that are not specifically part of the order but should continue:

1. Stay at home when you are sick.

2. Wash hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds OR use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

3. Cover mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing (do not use bare hand).

4. When experiencing respiratory symptoms, call healthcare provider before going to clinic or emergency department. Because there is no treatment for COVID-19, go to the Emergency Room only when symptoms worsen to the point that you are likely to need admission to the hospital for supportive care (e.g., respiratory difficulty).

5. Avoid crowds and sick individuals.

6. Avoid touching face with unwashed hands.

7. Do not hoard supplies unnecessarily.

8. Entities providing essential food, vehicle fuel, electricity, natural gas, and communications should take steps to put their staff at low risk of infection and ensure uninterrupted delivery of these essential services.

9. Be aware of family, friends, and neighbors that need assistance. Maintain contact with them by phone. Prescriptions can be picked up, food can be delivered, and other assistance rendered with minimal contact.

The Latest Statistics from the Wyoming Department of Health:

What to do if you are feeling sick: In the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Casper-Natrona County Health Department says that people who are feeling sick or exhibiting symptoms should contact their primary physician.

If you do not have a primary care provider, and live in Natrona County, please contact the COVID-19 hotline, operated by the Casper-Natrona County Department of Health. The line is open Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm 577-9892. Hotline services are intended for Natrona County residents and may not be able to provide specific information to persons calling from out of county.

Officials ask that you please do not self-report to the Emergency Room. Persons experiencing problems breathing should call 9-11.

For general inquiries and non-symptom related questions about COVID-19, please contact the Casper-Natrona County Health Department via email: covid@cnchd.org

Practice Social Distancing by putting distance between yourself and other people. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.

by putting This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Avoid close contact with people who are sick

Stay home if you’re sick

Cover coughs and sneezes. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow. Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.

A list of area closures attributed to COVID-19 are available here.