Idaho Gov. Brad Little provided updates about the state’s spread of COVID-19 in a press conference Monday.
Little said there will be no state-wide mandated closures or shelter-in-place orders until there is community spread.
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Around the same time Monday, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced a Stay at Home, Stay Healthy order, banning all Washington residents from leaving their homes unless it is for an essential activity, according to a press release from the governor’s page.
The only known Idaho county with community spread is Blaine County, which holds a cluster of COVID-19 cases. Blaine County is located in south central Idaho, with its largest city being Hailey.
Little said he hasn’t restricted all restaurants to take-out/deliver because “all areas are not alike.” However, many city governments have already taken action to ban in-person services at local restaurants and bars.
State Epidemiologist Dr. Christine Hahn, said during the press conference, Idaho is starting to receive protective equipment from the federal stockpile. And no hospitals in Idaho have run out of equipment.
Little is asking those who have traveled to high infection rate areas, as well as at-risk populations and caretakers, to stay home.
Idaho is also extending the state tax filing deadline by 60 days. Residents and businesses now have until June 15 to file their taxes.
Angela Palermo can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @apalermooo