Governor denies green status request for Washington and Iron Counties

Utah Governor Gary Herbert is denying Washington and Iron County their requests to move into the green phase of the reopening process.

Herbert says it's hard to approve these requests if the data doesn't justify it.

The governor claims Washington County and Iron County are getting close, but there's a few areas of transmission rates that are a little too high.

The two counties saw a slight uptick of COVID-19 cases in the first week of September, and one of the things the state looks for is at least 14 days of steady case numbers.

If the requests were approved, the two counties could have transitioned into the phase with the lowest level of COVID-19 restrictions, which allow gatherings of any number and businesses to up their capacity.