according to a news release from the office of Gov. Gary R. Herbert.The penalty was confirmed by Herbert’s office on Aug. 19 by The Salt Lake Tribune.
Anna Lehnardt, a spokesperson from the governor’s office, stated it would be up to the leaders of schools and charters to decide whether or not they want to seek charges as they respond to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.“It’s enforced on a district and superintendent level,” she added. “But we’re not thinking, ‘Let’s slap a bunch of kids with misdemeanors.‘”RELATED: Orange County taken off California's coronavirus watch listWhile Lehnardt said she does not believe any school officials will actually pursue charges against students or staff who do not follow the mask mandate, she did outline.