Little moves Idaho back to Stage Three

Citing a spike in coronavirus cases statewide and acknowledging a pattern of relaxation among residents, Gov. Brad Little announced Monday he's moving Idaho into a modified Stage Three of his Idaho Rebounds plan.

“We have stated over and over that this is about flattening the curve,” Little said in a press conference Monday afternoon, “and slowing the spread of COVID-19 … We managed to not only preserve but to significantly elevate health care capacity in Idaho during the pandemic for seven straight months. Last week, things changed for the worse. Idaho is at a critical juncture.”

The move means indoor gatherings are limited to 50 people or less. Outdoor gatherings are limited to 25 percent capacity. Physical distancing requirements are in place for gatherings of all types.

The move also pushes operational changes back to some businesses. Long-term care facilities will not be allowed to operate without requiring masks on their premises. Bars, restaurants, and nightclubs are now moving back to seating-only service, meaning that dancing and standing-room service is no longer allowed. Nightclubs can only operate as bars, just as they did in May when Stage Three was originally — and briefly — implemented.

“What this does not mean, it doesn’t mean our economy is on lockdown," Gov. Little said. "Our economy will remain open. It doesn’t mean in-person church will end. It doesn’t mean we’re restricting travel in or out of the state.”

Little gave an implied acknowledgement of last week’s mixed messages from North Idaho when the Panhandle Health board voted to rescind its mask mandate even as COVID-19 numbers had spiked dramatically in the previous seven days.

“Some health district boards, mayors and county commissioners have done the right thing and made the hard decisions to successfully slow the transmission in their communities,” Little said. “But there are other parts of Idaho where not enough has been done, even in the face of an overwhelming need for action. The ‘no action’ approach for dealing with COVID is not a responsible action.”

Under the new Stage 3

• Indoor gatherings are limited to 50 people or less.

• Outdoor gatherings are limited to 25 percent capacity.

• Physical distancing requirements are in place for gatherings of all types.

• Long-term care facilities will not be allowed to operate without requiring masks on their premises.

• There will be seating-only at bars, restaurants, and nightclubs. Nightclubs can only operate as bars.

• Employers should continue to protect at-risk employees by allowing telework or by making special accommodations for these individuals in the workplace.

• All individuals and businesses should follow recommended protocols for minimizing transmission of the virus available at Rebound.Idaho.Gov.