BOISE, Idaho — Idaho Gov. Brad Little announced Tuesday the state is moving into stage three of the Idaho Rebounds reopening plan.
In stage three, gathering sizes increase from 10 to 50 people and does not apply to political and religious expression, educational activities and healthcare-related events, like COVID-19 testing or vaccination events. The gathering size limit also does not apply to youth sporting events, as long as spectator rules by the Idaho State Board of Education are followed.
Bars, restaurants and nightclubs can still operate with seating only.
"This is not a signal to let up on our collective good efforts," Little said. "We must stay vigilant. Idaho is surrounded by states that have detected a much more contagious, variant strain of COVID-19. We know it is only a matter of time before we discover it right here in Idaho."
Little said the order went into effect in November has "cases were spiking and hospitals were bracing for the worst." The state now has one of the lowest case rates of spread in the nation, Little said. After hospitals were operating at near capacity, Little said Idaho hospitals are now operating "much more normally."
Little urged Idahoans to get the vaccine when eligible to protect against the variants and slow the spread of the virus.
Watch the full announcement here:
