UTAH, USA — As part of an effort to track potential risks for the spread of COVID-19, the state of Utah is now requiring travelers who cross its borders to fill out a declaration form.
According to Utah’s novel coronavirus response website, people driving into the state’s borders will automatically receive a text message directing them to fill out the survey
The survey asks visitors to list where they came from, as well as to provide their name, address, travel history, and if he or she has tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 14 days or displayed any symptoms.
“These are extraordinary times, and Utah is taking extraordinary measures like using this technology (which we have never used in an instance like this before,” Utah’s website says. “There may be some kinks here and there, but it’s absolutely essential to help us stop the spread of the coronavirus, COVID-19.
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People who fly into Salt Lake City’s airport will be directed to answer the same questions.
Utah’s website did not say how the technology works. It does say that “since the technology is not perfect, sometimes people who are miles away will receive the alert.”
“People who receive the alert and have not recently crossed the border into Utah do not need to fill out the declaration form,” the website says.
It also mentions that the form can be filled out when it is safe so people don’t text and drive. A declaration is required for everyone over the age of 18.
The alert becomes active at 12:30 p.m. on Friday and is slated to last until 11:59 p.m. on May 1. People who frequently travel in and out of Utah for essential activities only need to fill it out once.
Motorists will not be pulled over for not filling out the declaration form, Utah’s website says, though everyone – including truckers – is required to fill it out within three hours of entering the state.
If someone says they are displaying symptoms of COVID-19 on their declaration form, Utah’s website says someone from the state tracing team will “contact them and get them quarantined.”
“Having this information will help trace and mitigate the spread,” Utah’s website reads.
Drivers coming into Utah from the following entry points will receive the text message:
- I-15 at the Arizona border
- US-89 north of Kanab
- US-491/191 at Monticello
- I-70 at the Colorado border
- US-40 at the Colorado border
- I-80 at the Wyoming border
- I-15 at the Idaho border
- I-84 at the Idaho border
- I-80 at the Nevada border
According to Utah’s website, the state has 1,976 cases of COVID-19 and 13 confirmed deaths.
Colorado has not instituted a similar tracking system for people entering the state’s borders.
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