Mask mandate continues in Boise. Mayor acts after health district drops countywide rule
Boise Mayor Lauren McLean continued the city’s mask mandate just hours after the Central District Health board voted to roll back Ada County’s on Friday.
The city’s mask requirements were previously tied in part to Central District Health’s requirement, but the board of the health district voted unanimously Friday morning to remove the order for Ada and Valley counties. McLean’s order Friday means that people will have to continue to wear masks in the city.
The rule will remain the way it had been for months — face coverings must completely cover someone’s nose and mouth, but masks with valves, openings or holes are not allowed.
Masks are required in any public place, including businesses, parks, trails and other spaces.
The order specifically notes that violations could be considered a misdemeanor punishable by a fine or jail time, but the city has opted instead to cite people with trespassing if they enter a business but refuse to put on a mask. No one has been charged since the beginning of December, according to the city’s enforcement dashboard.
The new health order also adds a prohibition on gatherings of 50 or more people.
The order takes effect at 11:59 p.m. Friday night.
Editor’s note: This story was updated to reflect that Boise had a mask mandate in place concurrent with the Ada County order.
This story was originally published February 19, 2021 at 3:27 PM.
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