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SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Department of Health reminded the public that the state of Utah, the department of health, or local health departments don't provide medical exemption cards for masks.
The department said in a tweet on Tuesday that they've received reports of people reproducing and presenting fraudulent mask exemption cards with Utah's state seal to businesses and schools.
Mask exemptions and how to obtain them are outlined in the public health orders here: https://t.co/pnMol6AF3h and here (schools): https://t.co/9A9q87WObR. 2/2 pic.twitter.com/oQ8OvBPJyc
— Utah Dept. of Health (@UtahDepOfHealth) April 13, 2021
Mask exemptions and how to receive a medical exemption card are outlined in the state's public health order 2021-2 and 2021-10. Schools are allowed to require a medical exemption card which can be obtained through a medical directive from a doctor of medicine (MD), doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO), physician assistant (PA), or advanced practice registered nurse (APRN).
"The medical directive must document a need for an exemption due to a medical condition, mental health condition, or intellectual or developmental disability, that prevents the individual from wearing a face mask," according to order 2021-2.
The health department also reminded the public of face mask exemptions which include: "a child who is younger than three years old; an individual who is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the face mask without assistance; and an individual with a medical condition, mental health condition, or intellectual or developmental disability, that prevents the individual from wearing a face mask."
Utah's state mask mandate was lifted on April 10, but masks continue to be required in several places to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Masks are still required in federal, state and county buildings and facilities; schools including K-12 and higher education; public transportation; larges gatherings and places of worship.
Some local governments have also elected to extend their own mask mandate, such as Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall, who signed a proclamation that keeps a mask mandate in place for all indoor and outdoor locations within Salt Lake City.
