Idaho moves back to a modified Stage Three

Governor Brad Little signed a statewide public health order October 26 moving Idaho back into a modified Stage Three of the Idaho Rebounds plan as healthcare facilities throughout the state face alarming demand and capacity constraints due to increasing COVID-19 spread, according to a press release.
 Operating under the modified Stage Three plan, Idaho residents and businesses will now be required to limit indoor gatherings to a maximum of 50 people or less and limit outdoor gatherings to 25 percent capacity.
 Physical distancing of six feet are required for all gatherings of all types.
 Long term care facilities will not be allowed to operate without requiring masks on the premises.
 Bars, restaurants, and nightclubs will be seating only. Nightclubs can only operate as bars.
 Employers are expected to continue to protect at-risk employees by allowing telework or by making special accommodations for individuals in the workplace.

“Hospitals throughout the state are quickly filling up or are already full with COVID-19 patients and other patients, and way too many healthcare workers are out sick with COVID-19,” Governor Little said, according to the press release. Governor Little said the new order is not intended to lockdown the economy. In-person church services will not end. Travel is not restricted in and out of state. Schools are not required to transition fully to remote learning.
 “I sincerely hope that some people have finally passed the point of thinking the pandemic is not real or not a big deal, or that their personal actions don’t really affect anything. We have seen the direct impact between rising case numbers in our communities and the overwhelming impacts on our healthcare system – something that affects all of us, whether we have COVID or not,” Governor Little said.
 Weiser, Idaho’s move to Stage Three has caused cancellation of events in the area. The Weiser Memorial Hospital Foundation has decided to cancel their annual fundraising event, Festival of Trees.
 Casey-Clark Ney, Organization Development and Improvement Foundation Executive Director, organizes the event every year. During what would be an average year, the hospital may host approximately 350 guests during the Festival of Trees gala. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ney said she was prepared to host 150 guests. However, with a limit of 50 individuals or less, Ney said she and the hospital board felt the best way to proceed was to cancel the event.
 “We are redirecting, and we are trying to be positive,” said Ney.
 The hospital board is exploring other fundraising possibilities, including an end of year campaign. Although there is a lot of unknown, Ney said she would like to thank their donors and the people of Weiser for their help and contribution.
 Governor Little said the new order does not mean the economy is on lockdown. Idaho’s economy will remain open. It does not mean in-person church services will end. It does not mean travel is restricted in and out of the state.
 Governor Little also said the new order does not mean schools should go to full remote learning.
All individuals and businesses are asked to follow recommended protocols for minimizing transmission of the virus available at rebound.idaho.gov.