Stay-Home Order Update
On Wednesday, April 15, Gov. Brad Little extended the Stay-Home Order to April 30 (with some exceptions outlined below). Thankfully, the mitigation has been working, and Idaho is seeing a flattening of the curve. This is because the people of Idaho have followed recommended precautions and committed to the state’s request to “stay home and stay safe.”
What do the next two weeks look like as we continue the Stay-Home Order? The people of Idaho will continue to telework if possible, to stay home unless they need essential items, and practice all recommended hygiene precautions.
What about travel? The data tells us that travel is the most commonly known source of COVID-19 infections in Idaho. Because we know this, there are some new guidelines in place:
- If you are entering the state from another location, you are required to self-isolate for 14 days. This does not apply to those who are performing essential tasks or if your job requires you to live in one state and work in another.
- And, if someone is diagnosed with COVID-19, we are asking that they do not enter the state, unless they are in our state for medical care or are a resident of Idaho.
What about non-essential businesses? From here through April 30, if a business can operate with curbside, drive-through, mailed, or delivery services, they may open as long as they maintain social distancing for both customers and employees, including prohibiting any congregation of customers or employees in or around the place of business.
If Idaho continues to flatten the curve, “non-essential” businesses should prepare to reopen after April 30, as long as they prepare operational plans over the next two weeks to maintain social distancing for staff and patrons; provide adequate sanitation and protective coverings for employees, vendors, and patrons; offer curbside and pickup delivery; limit number of people in business at a time; and direct flow of people in the operation. According to Gov. Little, that may change if there is an upward trend of COVID-19 cases between now and April 30.
What remains closed? Dine-in restaurants, bars and nightclubs, convention centers, entertainment venues, gyms and fitness studios, public events and gatherings, and hair and nail salons.
For more information, please review the updated Stay-Home Order and FAQ posted on the coronavirus.idaho.gov website.
I want the people of Idaho to know that I understand how difficult this pandemic is for you and your family. The pandemic has caused some of you to give up your jobs, face-to-face time with extended family, graduation celebrations, and so much more. Others are on the frontlines committed to providing essential services to Idaho residents and are working harder than ever.
I sincerely appreciate your sacrifice.
As all of us do our very best to practice social distancing, wear a face covering in public, clean commonly touched surfaces frequently, and practice good hand hygiene, that will keep the spread of COVID-19 in check and allow us all to get back to some sense of normalcy sooner than later. Stay strong and stay safe. We will get through this.
DHW Voice 
State of Utah has a survey that residents can fill out that indicates whether they should go in for testing or are at higher risk. https://www.testutah.com/
Take a look. I think it’s an easy way to provide more direction for residents of Idaho.
I think the state of Idaho could really benefit from something like this, in addition to increases in testing, particularly we are beginning to open up more business and services.
Hello i am very concerned of the possible brew cases that could emerge here in Pocatello. 1 person tested positive for covid-19 at Amys recently. They also sent home probabkes but will be able to return to work without testing possibly putting at risk the entire staff at Amy’s in Pocatello. I believe the company should be mandated to test. I have 5 family members employed by Amy’s and am very worried about their safety as well as everyone else employed there.
There needs to be a updated source that the people of Bannock County and other counties need to be able to access. At this point in time, when you go anywhere in Pocatello ALL of the stores look like its Black Friday, where there isn’t a availability to park for essentials. Then people hanging out and no masked, full families going into the stores instead of one person per household. Point is if people knew the severity of what they are exposing themselves to they MAY think twice. But when your County has listed the same number of cases for the last 3 weeks, people are putting their guards down and being careless. Which in turns, affects Us All.
You ned updated daily information on the radio, TV and Emails. Failure to communicate helps spread the virus. Posts online in multiple languages. Pass on prevention!