SANDPOINT — Sandpoint Mayor Shelby Rognstad declared a state of emergency for the city Wednesday in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

There are no confirmed coronavirus cases in the city or Bonner County yet, but Rognstad wants the city to do its part the slow the spread of the virus.

“It is incumbent upon all of us to do what we can to protect our community,” he said during a press conference.

The declaration Rognstad made was for a week or until March 25 but the city council extended it until the disaster is over during a meeting Wednesday night. Rognstad said the goal of the declaration is to protect individuals with pre-existing health conditions and the elderly who are most vulnerable and help limit gatherings of 10 or more people in an effort to save lives.

“I think it’s only a matter of time before it gets to our community,” he said.

The announcement comes a day after the county declared a state of emergency to allow the county to respond promptly to the pandemic and be reimbursed for any expenses it incurs because of the virus.

Rognstad strongly encouraged restaurants and bars in the city to limit their services to curbside take-out only and avoid in-house seating. Licensed businesses will also be allowed to offer take out for sealed alcoholic beverages.

At Wednesday’s city council meeting, Travis Thompson, A&P Bar and Grill owner, asked if it was going to be mandated that bars and restaurants only provide curbside service. Rognstad said that, at this point, there was no mandate on businesses, only recommendations.

“At the end of the day, it’s your call,” Rognstad said at the meeting.

Nineteen states, including Washington, have banned in-person dining at restaurants and bars and are only allowing delivery and takeout.

“As for the future, I can’t promise that it won’t be mandated,” Rognstad said at the meeting. “If there’s a community outbreak here we’ll get more intense. We’re talking about lives here. We need to take precautions and be proactive. We’re all in this together.”

Thompson said that his employees are concerned about work and getting information about how to apply for unemployment insurance if it comes to that. But right now he feels the business should stay open.

“If someone is feeling well, hasn’t been around someone who was sick, they’re welcome to come in,” Thompson said. “It should be the person’s choice.”

The city of Sandpoint is also putting a freeze on all water shutoffs through April 30.

Rognstad said state and federal governments have ramped up their precautionary measures and he wants Sandpoint to continue do the same. So far, Rognstad believes the community has responded well to the steps the city has taken to help prevent the coronavirus from spreading to Sandpoint and has been impressed by local business owners who have taken further precautions to ensure the safety of customers.

As of Wednesday night, there are 11 lab-confirmed cases of coronavirus in Idaho, according to the Idaho Department of Health & Welfare website. Ada, Blaine, Madison, Teton and Twin Falls counties all have confirmed cases and a total of 343 people have been tested through the Idaho Bureau of Laboratories and 125 through commercial labs.

Rognstad said the area is fortunate they are part of one of the counties in the state that haven’t had any positive COVID-19 cases because the city is able to learn and adapt from the experiences of the communities that have been impacted and take measures to respond accordingly.

“This is something that has come upon us really rapidly,” he said. “None of us have seen anything like this before in our lifetime, so we really have no proper guidance to go by.”

Rognstad said nationwide there is a shortage of tests for COVID-19, but locally there isn’t. In fact, the city has an excess of tests and Rognstad noted that as of Monday, 25 tests had been administered.

Rognstad said the three local agencies carrying out the tests — Kaniksu Health Services, Bonner General Health and Panhandle Health — have strict protocols when deciding who to test and are not just giving them out “willy nilly.”

Despite some empty and bare shelves at grocery stores in the area, Rognstad isn’t worried about any food shortages as people stock up to limit their exposure to others and said “our supply is strong.”

“I think there is a perception out there that people are going too far,” he said, “overreacting and taking more than they need but I think what is actually happening is people are just taking necessary precautions.”

Rognstad is confident the city will get through this adversity.

“Sandpoint is a community known for its strength and tenacity,” he said. “We are resilient people who know how to take care of each other through difficult times.”