BLAINE COUNTY, Idaho — The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare has issued a mandatory "shelter in place" order in Blaine County.
Gov. Brad Little says the goal is prevention after the number of confirmed cases in the county rose to 16 Thursday, likely due in part of increased testing activity.
Per a press release from Blaine County and its major cities:
Shelter in Place means all individuals should stay at home unless they need to perform essential activities or go to work to provide essential business and government services. Employees who can should work from home when and where possible.
Many activities are exempt from the order and may continue. Individuals may still go to the grocery store, pick up take-out food at restaurants, and recreate outside provided they follow social distancing practices.
The supply chain will remain open. The roads and transportation in and out of the valley will not be restricted.
The order identifies a wide range of businesses and activities that may still take place. Essential businesses will stay open such as:
⦁ Grocery Stores
⦁ Gas Stations
⦁ Banks
⦁ Laundromats and Dry Cleaners
⦁ Childcare
⦁ Construction Activities
⦁ USPS, FedEx, UPS, etc.
Gatherings of individuals outside the house are generally prohibited. When people interact with persons outside their house, they must maintain 6 feet from other individuals.
People should continue to follow the best practices as recommended by the Public Health District, including following your doctor’s advice if you are ill, maintaining social distancing of at least six feet, washing hands thoroughly and frequently, and covering sneezes with a tissue or an elbow.
