Pocatello reinstates face-covering policy at city facilities
POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) - Following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s updated mask and face covering guidance and in consultation with Southeastern Idaho Public Health, the City of Pocatello will be requiring masks or face coverings at all indoor City facilities effective Thursday, July 29.
Pocatello Mayor Brian Blad made the announcement during a news conference Wednesday.
You can watch it below.
Mayor Blad was joined by Southeastern Idaho Public Health District Director Maggie Mann, Portneuf Medical Center CEO Jordan Herget and Dr. Dan Snell.
The policy requires City employees and citizens who enter City facilities and participate in indoor programs and activities to wear a mask or face covering. Masks continue to be required to ride Pocatello Regional Transit buses and for anyone entering Pocatello Regional Airport per President Joe Biden’s executive order.
For citizens participating in City of Pocatello sponsored programs and activities in outdoor spaces, face coverings are not required to be worn but the City is strongly encouraging individuals to maintain six feet of physical distancing.
“We’ve seen the stories from around the nation of people begging for vaccines just before going on a ventilator,” said Pocatello Mayor Brian Blad. “My heart breaks for these people and their families. I pray that we won’t ever hear about one of these stories in Pocatello.”
As of July 28, the vaccination rate for Bannock County was 49%, according to Southeastern Idaho Public Health.
“We have proven, safe, and effective vaccines against COVID-19,” Southeastern Idaho Public Health District Director Maggie Mann said. “We strongly encourage people to get vaccinated as soon as possible to protect themselves, their families, and our communities.”
For a list of COVID-19 vaccination clinics in Bannock County, visit siphidaho.org/covid19-vaccine-clinics.php.
To view the CDC’s updated guidance, visit cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html.
