Idaho takes first step toward reopening

Idaho residents have been successful at reducing infections and deaths related to the coronavirus and it’s time to start restoring normal activity, Gov. Brad Little said Thursday.

The Republican governor said in a press conference at the capitol that his five-week stay-home order will be allowed to expire. This means that as of today, the state will enter the first of his four-stage plan to recover from the economic damage caused by the virus.

During Stage 1, which goes from May 1 to May 15, stay-home order regulations pertaining to youth activities, child care and places of worship are diminished. If these specific institutions can function safely by following the protocols outlined on the Idaho Rebounds website regarding Stage 1, they are free to reopen.

“We are really calling on the people of Idaho to help us here,” said Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Director Dave Jeppesen.

Across the Silver Valley, local pastors have been announcing the reopening of their facilities for this coming Sunday, while also including the continuance of streaming services so that people who are ill or still uncomfortable with attending a group service.

Worship Center pastor Corey Berti, who along with another local pastor hosted a special Easter service at the old drive-in movie theater in Smelterville last month, didn’t expect to see churches listed by Gov. Little as part of the first phase of his plan to reopen Idaho.

In fact, Pastor Berti shared the same opinion that many have had concerning churches being one of the first things reopening, but he’s not taking the responsibility lightly.

“I was surprised to see Governor Little allowed churches to gather in the first phase,” Berti said. “In my humble opinion, if churches can open and maintain social distancing guidelines then most any business could do the same. However, I appreciate the opportunity and we will do our best not to debase his decision. Having known two people who contracted the coronavirus and one of them who has since passed away, I believe it is as important now as ever to remain cautious.”

Pastor Berti believes that Gov. Little may have included churches in the first phase to make sure that he avoided looking like he was restricting religious freedoms in any way.

With mental health being a concern during this time of self-quarantine, Berti is looking forward to things getting somewhat back to normal for his congregation and for all of the churches throughout the Silver Valley.

“We are looking forward to seeing our spiritual family and the sense of community that comes from worshiping God together,” Berti said. “I also believe he (Gov. Little) may understand the importance of spiritual support for some people. Different formats of media may work for some and may work for a while, but some people need human interaction — even if it’s at a distance.”

Stage 1 protocols that must be followed by institutions allowed to open on May 1 include:

Child care

• Review the Centers for Disease Control’s “Guidance for Schools and Child Care Programs,” including information on physical distancing; hand hygiene; food preparation and meals; washing, feeding and holding a child; diapering; cleaning and disinfecting.

• Develop plans that address staff and child safety and limit spread, such as considering accommodations for staff who may be at increased risk of severe illness or using physical distancing strategies to limit the number of different people with whom children and staff have contact.

• Protect staff, children and their families from the spread of COVID-19 by screening staff each day for illness and having a provider greet children outside at arrival and administer screening questions prior to entering the facility.

• Identify how the facility will provide sanitation and personal hygiene for staff and children.

Places of worship

• Identify how the place of worship will maintain the 6-foot physical distancing requirements for staff, volunteers and worshippers.

• Identify how the place of worship will provide adequate sanitation and personal hygiene.

• Consider whether to modify specific religious rites, rituals and services — such as accepting online collections or donations, or modifying or temporarily specific traditions, such as the practice of communion — consulting with local public health officials as needed.

• Develop and provide alternative ways to stay connected to worshippers and offer remote services.

Youth activities

• Establish protocols to maintain 6-foot physical distancing among participants, where possible, and between youth, adult leaders and coaches, and parents or other spectators.

• Establish protocols to reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19, such as having parents/guardians pick up their youth outside and instructing youth and adult leaders to avoid physical contact with one another.

• Establish plans to provide adequate hand hygiene and sanitation.

• Identify strategies for working with public health to notify adult leaders, youth and their families if the organization learns a participant or adult leader has developed COVID-19 and may have been infectious to others while at a youth activity.

Aside from the ones that pertain to these three institutions, largely all other regulations described in Gov. Little’s extended stay-home order on April 15 remains in-place until Stage 2, which starts on May 16.

Throughout Stage 1, all vulnerable Idahoans should continue to self-quarantine, public and private gatherings should be avoided, nonessential travel should be minimized, and employers should continue to encourage telework whenever possible.

Bars, nightclubs, strictly dine-in restaurants, indoor gyms, recreation facilities, hair salons and large venues (such as movie theaters) all remain closed. Restaurants with pick-up and delivery options are still allowed to remain operating.

Visits to senior living facilities are also prohibited.

The 14-day self-quarantine for people entering the state will continue through Stage 1 to prevent an influx of out-of-state visitors who could be carrying the virus into Idaho.

The progression of the four-part Idaho Rebounds plan is as follows:

Stage 2, May 16-29:

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.

Indoor gyms and hair salons can reopen once they have met the governor’s guidelines and protocols. Bars and nightclubs remain closed, as do large venues. Visits to senior living facilities are prohibited.

Schools and dine-in restaurants can open in a limited capacity, but are asked to comply with further guidance from the health district.

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 13-26:

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 Stage 1 protocols for child care facilities, youth activities and places of worship, visit https://rebound.idaho.gov/stage-1-protocols-for-opening/.

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Keith Ridler with the Associated Press contributed to this report.