Local organizations react to Gov. Little's plans for reopening

BOISE –– Gov. Brad Little set forth his plan to reopen Idaho’s economy on Thursday morning when he presented a plan to get businesses back open.

Little has planned a four-phase opening process, with specific criteria in each of the four stages. Decisions for reopening will be made in two-week increments in order to ensure that Idaho doesn’t reopen too quickly and see a spike in COVID-19 cases.

Churches and retail locations are among the first groups that will be allowed to reopen on May 1, provided that they follow all public health guidelines.

Should the plan go as hoped, it won’t disrupt too much of the Silver Valley’s tourism-based summer economy.

Something that the Wallace Chamber of Commerce is watching very closely.

“This appears to be a well thought out, scientific based plan for re-opening Idaho,” Wallace Chamber coordinator Dave Copelan said. “Here at the Wallace Chamber we will encourage our members to follow the Governor's lead. We applaud his efforts to balance both the health of the general public and our economy. If we all work together, we can meet the Governor's guidelines for lifting restrictions with as little as possible disruption to our hospitality based businesses.”

While the Wallace Chamber primarily works with businesses on the east end of the county, Colleen Rosson with the Silver Valley Economic Development Corporation is encouraged by the Governor’s statements on Thursday morning and has been working closely with local and state emergency personnel to ensure that businesses are ready when it is their turn to reopen.

“I am pleased to see the definition and target dates in the guidelines. We are all very anxious to open the doors and resume business, but we must err on the side of caution to ensure we do not have another outbreak that would be devastating to our businesses and community,” Rosson said. “The Governors guidelines released today, will make it easier to create those roadmaps for recovery. We are very fortunate to not have had any cases in Shoshone County. It is certainly a goal to continue that trend. It will take patience, creativity and working together, but we are resilient and will be able to rebound from this.”

At all stages of the plan, individuals should continue to engage in physical distancing of at least six feet, wear face coverings in public places, stay home if sick, practice good hand hygiene, cover coughs and sneezes and disinfect surfaces and objects regularly.

Employers should continue to maintain six-feet physical distancing for employees and patrons, provide adequate sanitation and personal hygiene, ensure frequent disinfection of the business and provide services while limiting close interactions with patrons.

Stage 1, May 1 - May 15:

All vulnerable Idahoans should continue to self-quarantine. Public and private gatherings should be avoided. Nonessential travel should be minimized. Employers should continue to encourage telework whenever possible.

Visits to senior living facilities are prohibited. Bars and nightclubs remain closed. Restaurants and dining rooms remain closed. Places of worship can open if they adhere to strict physical distancing, sanitation protocol and any CDC guidance.

Indoor gyms and recreation facilities remain closed. Hair salons remain closed. Large venues, such as movie theaters, are closed. Daycares and organized youth activities and camps can reopen.

Stage 2, May 16 - May 29:

All vulnerable Idahoans should continue to self-quarantine and members of households with vulnerable residents should take precautions. Gatherings of fewer than 10 people, where appropriate physical distancing and precautionary measures are observed, can occur. Nonessential travel should be minimized.

Employers should continue to encourage telework.

Restaurants and dining rooms, indoor gyms and hair salons can reopen once their plans to reopen have been submitted for approval by local public health districts. Bars and nightclubs remain closed, as do large venues. Visits to senior living facilities are prohibited.

Stage 3, May 30 - June 12:

Vulnerable Idahoans can resume public interactions but should practice social distancing. Gatherings of 10-50 people, where appropriate physical distancing and precautionary measures are observed, can occur. Nonessential travel can resume to locations that allow it and do not have ongoing transmission.

Employers should continue to encourage telework.

Visits to senior living facilities remain prohibited. Bars and nightclubs remain closed, as well as large venues like movie theaters and sporting venues.

Stage 4, June 13 - June 26:

Vulnerable Idahoans can resume public interactions but should practice social distancing. Gatherings of more than 50 people, where appropriate physical distancing and precautionary measures are observed, can occur. Nonessential travel continues.

Employers can resume unrestricted staffing of worksites, but continue to practice physical distancing, personal protections and sanitations for protection of workers. Special accommodations should be made for employees who are considered vulnerable.

Visits to senior living facilities can resume. Bars and nightclubs may operate with diminished standing-room occupancy. Large venues can operate under limited physical distancing protocols.

For more details on Gov. Little’s plan to reopen Idaho, visit rebound.idaho.gov.