County facilities to slightly relax pandemic regulations

WALLACE — The Shoshone Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) passed a special motion on Wednesday morning to open the Shoshone County Courthouse up for more broad public use beginning Monday.

As with everything that is reopening, this motion comes with a specific set of rules that must be followed in order for the courthouse to be accessible for both public use and for those who work inside the courthouse.

Those rules are as follows:

• Individuals exhibiting a fever, cough or shortness of breath shall be denied access to the courthouse.

• Social separation for courthouse visitors shall be maintained and occupancy shall be determined on a department-by-department basis such that a 6-foot minimum separation between individuals is provided at all times. Occupancy shall be controlled at the courthouse front door. “Drop Box” services shall remain in use in the courthouse lobby. “By Appointment” services shall remain available by all departments.

• Each department head shall ensure that their courthouse employees have or are provided a mask. Use of a mask will be recommended and at the discretion of the employee when interacting with the public.

• All visitors to District Court, Magistrate Court, Probation Services and Indigent Services shall be required to have and wear a mask when inside the courthouse.

• The motion does not preclude nor replace stricter District Court COVID-19 requirements.

Across the street at the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office, drivers licensing services and the front lobby with be open to the public on Monday. No more than three people will be allowed in the lobby at any given time to maintain proper distancing and those who do enter are asked to wear a mask, but it is not required.

License renewals can still be handled online at ITD.idaho.gov.

The reopening coincides with Gov. Brad Little’s Stage-2 openings, but isn’t attached specifically to the Rebound Idaho plan that is in place.

The BOCC would like to stress that while reopening is a positive step, they ask that folks still use mail and internet services as much as possible before trying to come to the courthouse in person.

“The county’s goal is to provide the best service possible to our community while minimizing potential risks and understanding our changing environment,” said Mike FItzgerald, BOCC chairman. “The county is still encouraging completing any county-related business through the mail and internet when possible. We also ask that community members visiting the courthouse to conduct business, observe the visitor procedures. Additional staff will be at the courthouse door to provide assistance.”