MCCALL, Idaho — A new mask mandate lasting 45 days is now in effect in the City of McCall. The decision comes a week after Central District Health rolled back its health order in Ada and Valley counties to just an advisory.
City leaders, in consultation with local health leaders, say the COVID-19 pandemic is far from over and this is a move to protect their tourism-based economy. Violators face a $100 fine, but failure to wear a mask is not a prosecutable offense, a change from the previous measure.
A news release says the main modification to the renewed mask order is the medical exemption. Previously, medical exemptions could be claimed without documentation to avoid a citation. Now, people may still get a ticket with the opportunity to present medical documentation, at the discretion of a McCall police officer.
“False medical claims have become routine in McCall to avoid wearing a mask, this new mandate supports those who actually do have a medical condition by allowing them the opportunity to present their documentation to either the officer or the prosecutor,” said Justin Williams, Chief of Police.
The City of Boise also reinstated its own mask mandate after the CDH decision.
