Coronavirus Q&A: We answer your questions about Little’s 4-stage plan to reopen Idaho
Gov. Brad Little’s new plan to release Idaho businesses and people from the coronavirus lockdown in four stages has generated questions from people wondering: What does it mean to me?
We invited readers to ask questions, and in this story we’re doing our best to answer them.
First, a few key facts:
The stay-at-home order first issued March 25 stays put until April 30.
Almost all retail stores and houses of worship would open in Little’s planned first stage, May 1 to 15. Restaurants and hair salons would open in the second stage, May 16 to 29. Gatherings of up to 50 people would be allowed in the third, May 30 to June 12. Bars would reopen in the fourth, June 13 to 26.
Now, the questions:
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When will state campgrounds reopen?
The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation plans to allow camping on May 15, spokesman Craig Quintana said by phone.
“We’re conferring with the governor’s office to see how that comports with Gov. Little’s plan for reopening,” Quintana said.
It’s unclear whether out-of-state residents will be able to camp in Idaho campgrounds before the end of May, he said. Under Little’s plan, people coming into Idaho from other states must continue to self-quarantine for 14 days. Quintna doesn’t know if that requirement might be modified in coming weeks.
“Half of the people who come to Idaho parks to recreate are from out of state,” he said. “We’re waiting to find out if they are going to be prohibited from coming until the end of May or not.”
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When will fitness gyms, swimming pools and other recreation venues reopen?
The governor’s order provides that indoor gyms and recreation spots can reopen during Stage 2, tentatively scheduled for May 16. They must adhere to health and safety protocols.
The city of Boise is reviewing the governor’s plan and hasn’t decided when it might open its public swimming pools, tennis courts and playground equipment, said Doug Holloway, the city’s parks director, in an email.
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If the state hasn’t paid my unemployment benefits by the time I can go back to work, will I still receive those benefits?
Yes. “If the claim is approved, benefit payments will be retroactive to the date the claim was filed or the effective date of the specific CARES Act program (dates vary),” said Georgia Smith, spokeswoman for the Idaho Department of Labor, in an email. Once employees return to work, they must stop filing for benefits, she said.
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What is the plan for the reopening of churches?
Houses of worship are covered in Stage 1 of the governor’s recovery plan, tentatively set for May 1. They can open if they adhere to strict 6-foot physical distancing, sanitation protocols and any guidance from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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What procedures will restaurants have to follow to open dining rooms?
Dining-room reopenings are in Stage 2, tentatively scheduled for May 15. All restaurants will be required to submit a health and safety plan to their regional health department. For Boise-are businesses, that’s the Central District Health Department, which oversees 2,500 food establishments. The district is preparing a form that should be available early next week, spokeswoman Christine Myron said in an email.
The form, which will be emailed to all restaurants, will ask restaurants to agree to abide by procedures in five key areas. The form will be accompanied by a guidance brochure that provides detailed information on each of the areas, Myron said.
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I saw Gov. Brad Little’s press conference. Did he get a haircut?
On Thursday’s live stream and broadcast of the governor’s news conference, some people were wondering if Little got a haircut even though barber shops and salons were ordered closed as nonessential businesses..
We don’t know. The Statesman reached out to the governor’s press secretary, Marissa Morrison Hyer, on Thursday and again Friday but did not receive a reply.
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Where was the sign language interpreter at the last press conference?
Steven Stubbs became much beloved as he interpreted Little’s coronavirus news conferences in March, and he returned Thursday. He didn’t appear at some news conferences in between, and we don’t know why. Morrison Hyer did not return requests for comment on this question either.
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When will hospitals and clinics be allowed to perform elective surgeries?
Little’s stay-at-home order did not prevent doctors and hospitals from performing nonessential surgeries and other procedures, Marissa Morrison Hyer, the governor’s spokeswoman said by email. That was a decision made by hospitals and medical clinics. It will be up to each health provider to decide when to resume offering those services.
St. Luke’s Medical System hasn’t made a decision yet on elective surgeries, but leaders continue to evaluate the situation, spokeswoman Anita Kissee said by email. We’re checking with Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center for their answer.
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When can dentists and vision centers begin offering routine services again?
Dentists, optometrists and ophthalmologists have been restricted to performing only emergency procedures. They will be able to resume regular services on May 1, although some offices may choose to wait longer.
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When can schools reopen?
The governor’s plan does not address school reopenings. In his news conference Thursday, Little said he would leave that decision up to the Idaho State Board of Education.
Last week, the board extended closure of public school buildings through the end of the academic year. But it said if social-distancing orders are lifted and school districts met additional criteria set by the board, they could reopen.
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Are the dates flexible for each stage? If everything is going very well, with low numbers of new cases, would the state consider opening the next stages earlier ?
The dates for moving to the next stage could be delayed if requirements are not met, but they would not come sooner. That’s because the state is examining two weeks of coronavirus infection data and other benchmarks before deciding to advance to the next stage.
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Read the answers from our second installment of questions on Idaho’s COVID-19 recovery.
This story was originally published April 24, 2020 at 11:42 AM.
