Government responses to and political effects of the coronavirus pandemic, 2020 (Idaho)
Ballotpedia’s coverage of COVID-19 includes how federal, state, and local governments are responding, and how those responses are influencing election rules and operations, political campaigns, the economy, schools, and more.
This article contains coverage of eight kinds of state government responses to the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. The article tracks developments in these areas that took place between the start of the pandemic in March 2020 through Dec. 4, 2020. The government responses covered here include:
- Changes to election dates and procedures in 2020
- Initial stay-at-home orders
- Executive orders
- Coronavirus-related legislation in 2020
- Changes to the state's 2020 legislative session
- Court closures
- The release of inmates
- Rent, mortgage, eviction, and foreclosure policies
Additionally, the article includes:
- Arguments related to the state's response to the coronavirus
- Individual industries and activities from May 15 through July 31
- The state's initial plan to reopen from March and April 2020 closures
- Coronavirus resources relevant to the state.
To view current coverage areas, including mask requirements, school responses, travel restrictions, and much more, click a state in the map below.
Changes to election dates and procedures, March 16 through November 19
General election changes
Idaho did not modify any procedures for the November 3, 2020, general election.
For a full timeline about election modifications made in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, click here.
Primary election changes
Idaho modified its primary election process as follows:
- Voting procedures: The May 19, 2020, primary election was conducted by mail. The receipt deadline for mail-in ballots was June 2.
For a full timeline about election modifications made in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, click here.
Click the gray bar below for more detailed information.
Statewide stay-at-home order, March 23 through December 4
On March 25, Gov. Brad Little (R) amended the original state of emergency declaration by issuing a proclamation, which directed individuals in the state to stay at home unless performing essential activities and placed restrictions on non-essential businesses.[6] On April 15, Little extended the stay-at-home order through April 30.[7]
Following the release of the proclamation, the Governor's Office released a list of essential businesses and industries that would be permitted to remain open. The document embedded below lists those businesses and industries.[8]
Executive orders, March 30 through June 29
- State of Emergency declared
- Governor, Legislature advance additional $1.3 million to ensure continuity of essential government services amid coronavirus concerns
- Proclamation Waiving 125 Agency Rules
- Proclamation Extending State Income Tax Filing Deadline
- Governor Little signs extreme emergency declaration
- Governor Little issues statewide stay-home order
- Executive Order 2020-05 Temporary Reduction of General Fund Spending Authority
- Executive Order 2020-06 Directs $39.3 million to the Disaster Emergency Account & Proclamation to help Idahoans who are temporarily unable to work through no fault of their own because of illness, quarantines, layoff or reduction of work related to coronavirus
- Executive Order 2020-06 Authorizing the Transfer of Funds to the Disaster Emergency Account
- Governor Little suspends more rules to increase telehealth access, ease licensing for medical professionals fighting coronavirus
- Executive Order 2020-07 Establishing a Process to Evaluate and Implement Federal Coronavirus Funding
- https://coronavirus.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/127/2020/04/amended-statewide-stay-home-order_041520.pdf Amended Stay at Home Order]
- Proclamation – Extension of Emergency Declaration
- Proclamation – Waiving additional regulations
- Executive Order 2020-08 Establishing Idaho Rebound Cash Grants for Small Businesses
- Executive Order No. 2020-09 Establishing a Program to Procure and Distribute Personal Protective Equipment to Idaho Businesses and Nonprofits
- Executive Order 2020-10 Enhancing Licensing Freedom: Organization of the Department of Self-Governing Agencies
- Executive Order 2020-11 Related to the Idaho Department of Labor
- Executive Order 2020-12 Related to Return to Work Bonuses
- Executive Order 2020-13 Regulatory Relief to Support Economic Recovery
Court closures, March 17 through November 4
- July 27, 2020: The Idaho Supreme Court delayed the resumption of criminal jury trials until September 14 and civil jury trials until December 1.[9]
- April 22, 2020: The Idaho Supreme Court suspended criminal jury trials through August 3 and civil trials through October 5. The order also established minimum court staffing for courts to operate. Prior to the order, jury trials were suspended through June 1.[10]
- April 21, 2020: The Idaho Supreme Court extended restrictions on in-person proceedings through May 1. Prior to the order, restrictions were set to expire April 22.[11]
- April 14, 2020: The Idaho Supreme Court extended their restrictions on in-person proceedings through April 22 and suspension of jury trials through June 1.[12]
- March 26, 2020: The Idaho Supreme Court ordered that only emergency hearings and proceedings be conducted, and suspended civil trials, and delayed criminal trials at least 30 days from their original start date.[13]
- March 24, 2020: The Idaho Supreme Court suspended civil trials indefinitely and criminal trials through April 30.[14]
- March 13, 2020: Idaho Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Burdick ordered that all non-emergency in-person trials and hearings would be suspended from March 16 to April 10.[15]
Legislative session changes, March 20 through October 1
The Idaho State Legislature convened a special session on August 24, 2020. The special session adjourned on August 26, 2020.
Proposed and enacted legislation, March 25 through August 19
See below for a complete list of bills related to the coronavirus pandemic in Idaho. To learn more about a particular bill, click its title. This information is provided by BillTrack50 and LegiScan.
Rent, mortgage, eviction, and foreclosure policies, April 9 through November 24
- May 1, 2020: Remote hearings on landlord-tenant eviction matters could resume on May 1.[16]
- March 26, 2020: In its order suspending in-person proceedings and jury trials, the Idaho Supreme Court included eviction cases. According to the order, eviction proceedings could only proceed in drug-related cases.[17]
Prison inmate release responses, March 30 through July 1
- Between March 30 and July 1, Idaho did not make an announcement concerning the release of incarcerated individuals due to coronavirus on a state level.
Ballotpedia is covering the debate over continuing restrictions and closures in Idaho in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Click on the links below to read more about these debates.
- Debate over the stay-at-home order
- Debate over medical treatment and testing for coronavirus
- Debate over school closures
- Debate over religious service restrictions
- Debate over election policy
Status of industries, May 15 through July 31
Between May 15 and July 31, we conducted detailed tracking of industries and activities in each state daily.
- "Yes" means an activity was allowed or an industry was permitted to open. "No" means an activity was not allowed or an industry was not permitted to reopen.
- Some rules were applied regionally rather than statewide. Each cell shows the loosest restriction in place at the time, or the broadest level of an activity permitted in the state, even if that activity was only permitted regionally. Where applicable, we indicated that an activity was only permitted regionally, and provided details in a cell note. For example, if gyms were permitted to open in half of a state, the spreadsheet would say "Yes (regionally)," and differences between the regions would be explained in a note.
- A lack of detail in a note or parentheses does not necessarily mean that an activity or industry was "back to normal." We did our best to capture caveats, exceptions, and modifications to activities. We acknowledge, though, that states put forth a large number of requirements for many industries and activities.
Initial reopening plan from March and April 2020 closures
Update the section with the following introductory text: Idaho released an initial reopening plan from March and April 2020 closures on April 30, 2020. An analysis of this plan appeared in our Documenting America's Path to Recovery newsletter on June 11. The sections below include an analysis of the plan, the details of the plan, and reactions from officials to the plan.
Summary from Documenting America's Path to Recovery
On April 30, Gov. Brad Little (R) announced he would allow the statewide stay-at-home order to expire on Friday, May 1, and would replace it with a four-phase reopening plan called “Idaho Rebounds: Our Path to Prosperity.”
Little said, “I am pleased to announce that due to the continued, responsible actions of the people of Idaho to slow the spread of the coronavirus, we have met the criteria to enter into Stage 1 of our safe, responsible approach to reopening Idaho’s economy. Starting tomorrow, May 1, the stay-home order will expire, and Idaho will enter into a new chapter of our fight with the coronavirus. However, Idahoans will still need to be vigilant and stay healthy as we continue to reopen our economy.”
The “Idaho Rebounds” plan has three criteria for advancing from one stage of reopening to the next:
- Syndromic (Downward trend or low numbers of COVID-19-like illness patient visits as tracked by Emergency Departments within a 14-day period and downward trend or very low numbers of patients with COVID-19-like illness admitted from Emergency Departments within a 14-day period)
- Epidemiologic (Downward trend or low levels of documented COVID-19 cases reported within a 14-day period or downward trend of positive COVID-19 PCR tests as a percent of total tests within a 14-day period (including flat or increasing volume of tests)
- Healthcare (Treat all patients without needing to use crisis standards of care and Available ventilators, intensive care unit beds, and personal protective equipment (PPE) to safely care for additional COVID-19 patients in hospitals)
Context
- On March 25, Little issued the statewide stay-at-home order directing individuals to stay at home unless performing essential activities and placing restrictions on non-essential businesses. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare had issued a stay-at-home order for Blaine County on March 19 after it became the first with suspected community spread.
- On April 15, Little extended the stay-at-home order through April 30. He allowed some non-essential businesses to begin curbside and delivery services.
- As of June 10, Idaho had reported 2,947 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 85 fatalities. As of July 2019, Idaho had an estimated population of 1,787,065. For every 100,000 residents, the state had 164.9 confirmed cases and 4.8 fatalities.
- Idaho has a Republican trifecta. Republicans hold the governorship, a majority in the state Senate, and a majority in the state House.
Plan details
“Idaho Rebounds” reopens Idaho’s economy in four stages. To advance to the next stage, all criteria must be met. Each stage of the plan was provisionally scheduled to last two weeks, though the plan states that stages could be extended or reversed if trends moved in the wrong direction.
The plan provides a baseline set of protocols that individuals and employers should continue to adhere to through each stage.
For individuals:
- Physical distancing of at least six feet
- Face coverings in public places
- Stay home if sick
- Good hand hygiene
- Cover coughs and sneezes
- Disinfect objects and surfaces regularly
For employers:
- Maintain six-foot physical distancing for employees and patrons
- Provide sanitation and personal hygiene for employees, vendors, and patrons
- Ensure disinfection of the business and regular cleaning of surfaces
- Identify how masks and gloves may be required by employees, vendors, and patrons
- Provide services while limiting close interactions with patrons
- Identify strategies for addressing ill employees
- Include practices appropriate for specific businesses such as screening for illness and requiring non-cash transactions
Stage 1 (May 1-May 15)
According to Little, “During Stage 1, 90% of businesses will be able to reopen their doors.” Most retail businesses were permitted to resume operations. Daycares, camps, and organized youth activities were also permitted to reopen, along with places of worship.
Businesses prohibited from reopening under Stage 1 included:
- Bars and nightclubs
- Restaurants (except for takeout and curbside services)
- Indoor gyms and recreation facilities
- Close contact services like hair and nail salons
- Large venues, including movie theaters and sports venues
Visits to senior living facilities were prohibited.
Closed businesses were encouraged to develop plans for reopening in upcoming stages.
Stage 2 (May 16-May 29)
Stage 2 allowed for public and private gatherings of up to 10 people, so long as physical distancing could be observed. Indoor gyms and close contact businesses like hair and nail salons were permitted to reopen, but required to maintain six feet of separation between employees and workstations.
Restaurants were permitted to reopen for indoor dining after submitting a plan to the local public health district. The plans did not need to be approved before restaurants could resume indoor dining operations.
In Stage 2, the following businesses were prohibited from opening:
- Bars and nightclubs
- Large venues, including movie theaters and sports venues
Visits to senior living facilities were still prohibited.
Stage 3 (May 30-June 12)
Stage 3 allowed for public and private gatherings of up to 50 people, so long as physical distancing could be observed, and nonessential travel was permitted to resume within the state to locations without ongoing transmission.
Businesses permitted to reopen under Stage 3 included bars, movie theaters, and waterparks, and outdoor pools.
Businesses prohibited from reopening include:
- Nightclubs (unless able to open as a bar)
- Large venues like sports venues
Visits to senior living facilities were still prohibited under Stage 3.
Stage 4 (June 13-June 26)
Stage 4 will allow gatherings of more than 50 people, so long as physical distancing is observed. Visits to senior living facilities will be permitted, and nightclubs and large venues will be allowed to reopen with some restrictions like diminished standing-room occupancy and physical distancing protocols.
Click the links below to explore official resources related to the coronavirus outbreak.
State resources
Twitter feeds for government officials and agencies appear below.
Federal resources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
- National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor
- U.S. Department of Education
- World Health Organization
See also
- Documenting America's Path to Recovery
- Idaho’s path to recovery from the coronavirus pandemic
- School responses in Idaho to the coronavirus pandemic
- School responses to the coronavirus pandemic by state
- COVID-19 vaccine distribution by state
- Travel restrictions by state
- Federal government responses to the coronavirus pandemic
Footnotes
- ↑ Office of the Governor of Idaho, "Proclamation," April 1, 2020
- ↑ Idaho Secretary of State's Office, "Secretary Lawerence Denney Announces May Primary Changes," April 1, 2020
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Idaho Office of the Governor, "Idaho’s primary election to remain on May 19, will be conducted by mail," March 30, 2020
- ↑ Twitter, "Idaho Secretary of State: March 24, 2020, 7:58 PM," March 24, 2020
- ↑ Coronavirus.idaho.gov, "Proclamation", March 25, 2020
- ↑ Idaho News, "Governor Little extends Idaho's stay at home orders until April 30," April 15, 2020
- ↑ [https://coronavirus.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/127/2020/03/IdahoEssentialServices_updated.pdf Coronavirus.idaho.gov', "Statewide Stay-Home Order Essential Services," accessed March 27, 2020]
- ↑ Idaho Press, "daho Supreme Court pushes back trials further, allows older people to opt out of jury duty," July 27, 2020
- ↑ In the Supreme Court of the State of Idaho, "In RE: Emergency Reduction in Court Services and Limitation of Access to Court Facilities," April 22, 2020
- ↑ In the Supreme Court of the State of Idaho, "In RE: Extension of Emergency Reduction in Court Services and Limitation of Access to Court Facilities," April 21, 2020
- ↑ National Center for State Courts, "Coronavirus and the Courts," April 15, 2020
- ↑ National Center for State Courts, "Coronavirus and the Courts - March 27," March 27, 2020
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedMar25courts - ↑ Idaho Supreme Court, "IN RE; IDAHO SUPREME COURT RESPONSE TO COVID-19 EMERGENCY," accessed March 17, 2020
- ↑ NOLO, "Emergency Bans on Evictions and Other Tenant Protections Related to Coronavirus," accessed June 22, 2020
- ↑ Idaho Statesman, "Facing eviction from your apartment? This new Idaho court order could buy you time," April 2, 2020
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