4 Wyoming women charged for suspected quarantine violation

LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) - Four roommates in Wyoming were charged in criminal court on suspicion of violating a quarantine order issued because of their exposure to COVID-19, prosecutors said.

Albany County prosecutors have said the four women were required under quarantine orders last week to remain home and avoid close contact with non-household members, the Casper Star-Tribune reported.

Under state law, criminal prosecution is allowed for anyone who violates orders issued by state epidemiologist Alexia Harrist and the state Department of Health.

All f! our women were recorded on video Tuesday at Lake Hattie with an unidentified man after their quarantine order was issued, prosecutors said.

They were each charged Wednesday after allegedly leaving their property, although two of the filings say two of the four roommates went to the same grocery store on different days.

Three of the women were students at the University of Wyoming, prosecutors said. The university released a statement Thursday saying school officials are looking into whether the suspected students visited any university facilities and would notify people with whom they could have interacted.

"We support local law enforcement and public health officials in their efforts to enforce restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic," acting President Neil Theobald said. "We continue to urge our students and employees to follow all public health guidelines, and we are serious about the measures being taken to prevent the spread of the virus in our! community."