BOISE, Idaho — “Editor's note: The above video looks at how thoroughly we should be washing our hands to stop the spread of disease.”
The Board of Ada County Commissioners are suspending all non-essential business travel for county personnel and canceling events at EXPO Idaho through April 30 to reduce the transmission risk of COVID-19, also known as coronavirus.
The county business travel restrictions for will remain in effect through May and applies to all two-thousand Ada County employees.
At this time Idaho has no confirmed cases of the coronavirus but the virus has been confirmed in several surrounding states.
On Thursday, Boise mayor Lauren McLean announced she is also suspending all out-of-state business travel for city employees through April 10 and postponing employee gatherings greater than 250 people.
McLean is asking organizations to consider postponing any events greater than 250 people.
"We're learning that with a virus like this, and the pandemic we now face, that slowing the rate of spread is important," said McLean in a news release. "It provides health professionals and governments time to prepare, will spread out the impact on hospitals, and provide more time for a vaccination to be developed, protecting those at most risk in our communities."
Many events at EXPO Idaho have been canceled or postponed the Ada County Commissioners. The cancellations begin immediately and include the Boise Roadster Show which was scheduled to open on Friday.
"Our primary concern is ensuring that our communities and our staff are healthy and safe," said Ada County Commissioner Kendra Kenyon in a news release. "Based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and our community partners at Central District Health, we believe this is one of many prudent and measured actions we can take to reduce our risk as a community."
Here are other events listed on the EXPO Idaho calendar that have been or could be impacted by this:
- Boise Spring Home Show
- Idaho Cat Show
- Idaho State 2020 Junior Olympics Championships
- Snake River SCCA Autocross
- Treasure Valley Flea Market
- Just Between Friends Consignment Sale
- Treasure Valley Roller Derby
- Gem State Comic Con
- Car Wars
- Pickin' Boise Vintage @Artisan Show
- Moppet Togs
- Experience Idaho
- Idaho Family Pet Expo
The Ada County Parks & Waterways will no longer take new bookings for the Barber Park and Event Center through May 31.
Public health officials say mass gatherings are considered to be the highest risk for widespread transmission of respiratory illnesses.
Ada County Operations have enhanced their cleaning protocols by expanding the areas and locations in Ada County facilities that are wiped down with hospital-grade cleaning chemicals in an effort to sterilize.
Ada County Communications Director, Elizabeth Duncan, said the Ada County Courthouse will be closed on Monday to everyone but jurors, attorneys, county personnel, parties, victim support people, and key witnesses.
Facts not fear: More on coronavirus
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At KTVB, we’re focusing our news coverage on the facts and not the fear around the virus. To see our full coverage, visit our coronavirus section, here: www.ktvb.com/coronavirus.