BOISE, Idaho — Editor's note: The above video discusses exemptions to Boise's mask mandate and when masks must be worn.
Due to the recent spike in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Idaho, cities across the state have signed public health mandates requiring residents to wear masks in public settings.
As the state continues to fight the further spread of the virus, these cities have put public health orders in place requiring masks to be worn until further notice.
Bellevue
Bellevue Mayor Ned Burns ordered a city-wide mask mandate that requires all citizens to wear face coverings when in public settings. Effective July 16 at midnight, this provision will stay in place until later decided by the mayor and City Council.
There are several exceptions to the rule, including children five and under, those who cannot wear a mask due to a medical condition, individuals that are hearing impaired, off-duty law enforcement officers and those in outdoor places that allow for social distancing guidelines to be met.
Any person that violates this order will be guilty of an infraction and risks being fined up to $50.
Read the full health mandate here.
Boise
Ada County continues to lead the state in confirmed cases, prompting Mayor Lauren McLean to sign a public health order requiring masks to be worn in public settings if social distancing guidelines cannot be followed.
Under McLean's mandate, children under the age of five, first responders who are on-duty and those with communication or health concerns will be exempt from the order.
The order will be in effect as of 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, July 4.
According to the health order, masks must completely cover an individual's mouth and nose. The city will make efforts to educate people and businesses about the mask requirement.
Anyone who refuses to comply with the order could face a misdemeanor charge, "punishable by fine, imprisonment, or both."
Read the full story here.
Driggs
Mayor Hyrum Johnson signed an emergency order mandating that all people in the city of Driggs must wear a face mask in public residencies.
The order has been in effect since July 3.
Any individual who violates this mandate could face a fine of up to $100. Those who willfully violate the order risk being charged with a misdemeanor disorderly conduct, according to the order.
Those who refuse to wear a mask when asked to by business staff and owners risk being charged with trespassing.
Businesses who fail to comply with the order will receive one warning and will be closed until compliance is made. Those who fail to comply after the initial warning risk losing their city issued business license.
Read the full public health order here.
Hailey
Mayor Martha Burke signed a city-wide mandate on July 1 that requires all residents to wear a face mask in public.
There are several exceptions to the rule, including children five and under, those who cannot wear a mask due to a medical condition, individuals that are hearing impaired, off-duty law enforcement officers and those in outdoor places that allow for social distancing guidelines to be met.
An individual that violates the order will be guilty of an infraction and risk receiving a fine of $100, according to the order.
Read the full public health order here.
Kellogg
The Kellogg City Council issued a new mandate that requires all Kellogg residents to wear a face-covering in public settings where social distancing cannot be done.
There are exemptions to the mask order in Kellogg, including those for children under 5 years old, those who are hearing or visually impaired, law enforcement officers that are off-duty and people who can't "medically tolerate" wearing a mask.
Anyone found to disobey the order will face a potential $100 fine.
Read the full mask mandate here.
Ketchum
The Ketchum City Council has approved an emergency health order requiring that face masks be worn in public spaces. The mandate is legally enforceable and violators could face a $100 penalty.
This order comes as Idaho is experiencing a large surge in new COVID-19 cases.
Masks must cover the nose and mouth. Public places include retail businesses, government offices, medical facilities, educational, arts and recreational institutions, public transportation, including taxi cabs and ridesharing vehicles.
There are some exemptions, which include children under the age of 5, persons who cannot medically tolerate wearing a face covering, persons who are hearing impaired, or communicating with a person who is hearing impaired, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication; on-duty law-enforcement officers, persons eating or drinking at a restaurant, and outdoor public places where people can employ social distancing.
Any person who violates any provision of this order shall be guilty of an infraction, punishable by a fine of $100. The order takes effect on July 7.
McCall
The McCall City Council passed a resolution and health order on July 1 requiring face masks to be worn in all indoor spaces or when six feet of social distancing cannot be maintained.
The order went into effect at midnight on July 2. The city has not said how long the order will last, but it will encompass the Fourth of July weekend when tens of thousands of visitors are set to travel to the lakeside community.
According to the city, education is the goal, but $100 fines are possible for those who do not comply. Officials said the order will help keep the public safe and businesses open. They also noted that it comes after an outpouring of support for the order from the community.
Read the full story here.
Moscow
Moscow Mayor Bill Lambert issued Public Health Emergency Order 20-03 requiring all Moscow residents to wear a face covering and to follow social distancing guidelines.
The order has been in effect since July 2.
“In light of current cases and a trend towards a significant resurgence of COVID-19 infections and exposure in Moscow, it is prudent to assess the public health risks to the community as a whole," Lambert said.
Read the full public health order here.
Victor
The City of Victor passed a citywide ordinance on June 8 that requires all people to wear masks in public settings. The ordinance will remain in effect until Oct. 1, 2020, unless conditions allow the order to be repealed sooner.
Like other cities that have passed mask mandates, there are several exemptions to this mandate. Masks are not required when social distancing guidelines can be followed. Those with physical or mental health conditions that could be affected, children under the age of five and those who are recreating outdoors are exempt.
Those who do not follow the mandate risk receiving an infraction and a fine of $250.
Read the full mandate here.
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.
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