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Governor Little OKs additional lifting of restrictions

Gov Little stage 3 presser

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI/KIDK) - Gov. Brad Little said Thursday Idaho can move to the third stage of his four-stage plan to return to regular activity and recover from the economic damage caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

You can watch the press conference below.

Little said restrictions will be lifted starting Saturday that will allow bars to reopen and gatherings of up to 50 people as long as precautions are taken. Little also moved up the opening of movie theaters two weeks to Saturday.

Businesses if possible should still have employees work remotely.

Little's plan for moving through the four stages by the end of June is based on declining infections and testing. The readiness of the health care system is another factor, including available ventilators and beds in intensive care units.

Idaho has 2,731 confirmed cases of the virus and 82 deaths, according to a tally Thursday by Johns Hopkins University.

Stage 3 requires out-of-state visitors from virus hotspots to quarantine for 14 days in an effort to protect the state's tourism and hospitality industry.

Visits to senior living facilities are still prohibited to protect workers and vulnerable residents.

Stage Three – If no significant increase in cases and criteria remain met (May 30 – June 12***)

Every two weeks: re-evaluation against criteria to determine feasibility to move from one stage to the next
***ALL CRITERIA MUST BE MET TO MOVE STAGES AND DATES ARE ESTIMATED TARGETS

Business Protocols for Opening â€” Businesses opening their doors in various stages of the Idaho Rebound plan should have operational plans in place to mitigate the risk of spreading COVID-19. For business protocols available, click here.

INDIVIDUALSEMPLOYERSPECIFIC TYPE EMPLOYER
Vulnerable Idahoans can resume public interactions, but should practice physical distancing, minimizing exposure to social settings where distancing may not be practical, unless precautionary measures are observed.Continue to encourage telework, whenever possible and feasible with business operations.

Return employees to work in phases, if physical distancing, personal protections and sanitation are feasible.
Visits to senior living facilities and congregate facilities (e.g. jails and corrections) are prohibited and those employees and providers who do interact with residents and patients must adhere to strict protocols regarding hygiene and infection prevention.
Gatherings, both public and private, of 10-50 people, where appropriate physical distancing and precautionary measures are observed can occur. Find gatherings guidance here.Employees who are considered vulnerable individuals should continue to self-quarantine. Special accommodations for these employees should be made in the workplace if they are unable to work from home.Bars can open if they demonstrate ability to meet business protocols.

Nightclubs remain closed, except can open as a bar if business protocols are met. Develop plans for operating as a nightclub with diminished standing room occupancy in order to open in Stage 4.
Non-essential travel can resume to locations that allow it and do not have ongoing transmission (individuals should adhere to state and CDC guidelines regarding isolation following travel).All open businesses continue to follow protocol for opening.Large venues (e.g., movie theaters and sporting venues) remain closed, develop plans for operating with limited physical distancing protocols in order to open in stage 4.
Discontinue the 14-day self-quarantine for people entering Idaho.Non-essential travel can resume to locations that allow it and do not have ongoing transmission (employers should adhere to state and CDC guidelines regarding isolation following travel).
Article Topic Follows: Coronavirus Coverage

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