More cities require use of face masks

Going to Boise, McCall or Ontario, Ore., to shop or visit? It’s mandatory now to wear a face mask at stores and restaurants as efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus have heightened.  
 In Idaho, the cities of Boise, Hailey, Moscow, McCall and Driggs have issued orders in the past week requiring the use of face masks in both indoor and outdoor public places where there are people.
 There have been no orders issued in any city in Washington County mandating face mask use. Face coverings are required to enter city hall in Weiser, according to a notice posted on the front door.
 Boise Mayor Lauren McLean signed a public health order requiring face masks that took effect at 12:01 a.m. on July 4. The city handed out more than 6,000 free face masks on July 3.
 The mayor’s mandate was met with about 100 defiant protesters with a group called Health Freedom Idaho who decried the order as an abuse of power.
 In response to a recent surge in coronavirus cases, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown ordered that wearing  face masks was required in all indoor public spaces starting on July 1 but not in outdoor spaces.
 The order applies to business owners, employees and members of the public. Stores in Ontario now have signs posted on their doors notifying the public of the face mask requirement.
 Businesses in Oregon have been asked to step up enforcement by requiring customers to wear face masks where appropriate. Oregon authorities began spot-checking businesses over the July 4th weekend to make sure the rule was being followed by customers.
 All communities that have mandated face masks also have some exceptions, such as people who have a medical condition or disability or other noted circumstances that prevents them from wearing a face mask. Oregon’s mandatory order does not apply to children under age 12, while Boise’s order includes children age 5 and up.
 Some cities have attached penalties for not complying with the face mask order. The penalty for violating the face mask order in Hailey is an infraction, which can bring a fine of $100 for the first violation. In Boise violating the order can be charged as a misdemeanor.
 Idaho Gov. Brad Little has recommended the use of face masks but has not issued a statewide order making it mandatory for residents.
 The number of coronavirus cases in Washington County totaled 109 confirmed and nine probable for a total of 118, according to the latest update on July 6 by Southwest District Health.
 Washington County no longer has the second-highest number of cases among the six counties that make up Southwest District Health. That spot is now held by Payette County, which has seen its case numbers jump in the past week. As of July 6, Payette County had 117 confirmed cases and 21 probable for a total of 138.
 The number of cases in Canyon County is escalating rapidly. As of July 6, Canyon County had 1,316 confirmed cases and 83 probable cases for a total of 1,399.