ADA COUNTY, Idaho — A new, county-wide mask order aims to slow and prevent the transmission of COVID-19 in Ada County. Central District Health Board of Public Health members voted overwhelmingly Tuesday afternoon to approve the measure, which takes effect immediately.
The order makes it mandatory for people in Ada County to wear a face-covering that completely covers their nose and mouth when in a public place where others are present and it's not possible to maintain six feet of social distancing.
Facial coverings are not required to be worn under the following circumstances:
- Children under the age of 2.
- Persons with medical conditions, mental health condition, or disability that prevent them from wearing a face covering. A person is not required to provide documentation demonstrating that the person cannot tolerate wearing a face covering.
- Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, or communicating with a person who is deaf or hard of hearing, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication.
- Persons, including on-duty law enforcement officers, for whom wearing a face covering would create a risk to the person related to their work, as determined by local, state, or federal regulators or workplace safety guidelines.
- Persons who are obtaining a service involving the nose, face, or head for which temporary removal of the face-covering is necessary to perform the service.
- Persons who are eating or drinking at a restaurant or other establishment that offers food or beverage service, so long as they engage in physical distancing.
The move comes as COVID-19 cases spike in Idaho, with Ada County a hot spot. Boise Mayor Lauren McLean previously issued a mandatory mask order in Boise.
