MASK MANDATE -FAQ- More at Panhandle Health Covid19 call center updates page
ORDER OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH, PANHANDLE HEALTH DISTRICT, STATE OF IDAHO
RESTRICTIONS; ITEM 4 Protection of the public health and the slowing of transmission of
COVID-19 disease during the effective period of the Order would be facilitated by the use of
face coverings in public places where others are present and physical distancing of 6 feet
cannot be maintained.
Q: Does the mask mandate cover all 5 northern counties?
A: The mask mandate is currently only for Kootenai County.
Q: Is anyone exempt from wearing a mask or cloth face covering?
A: Facial coverings are not required to be worn under the following circumstances:
• Where the individuals are immediate family members or household occupants.
• Children under the age of two (2).
• Persons with medical conditions, mental health condition, or disability that prevent them from
wearing a face covering. A person is not required to provide documentation demonstrating that
the person cannot tolerate wearing a face covering.
• Persons who are communicating with a person who is deaf and hard of hearing, where the
ability to see the mouth is essential for communication.
• Persons, including on-duty law-enforcement officers, for whom wearing a face covering would
create a risk to the person related to their work, as determined by local, state, or federal
regulators or workplace safety guidelines.
• Persons who are obtaining a service involving the nose, face, or head for which temporary
removal of the face covering is necessary to perform the service.
• Persons who are eating or drinking at a restaurant or other establishment that offers food or
beverage service, so long as they are seated at a table and able to maintain a distance of 6 feet
from persons who are not members of the same household or party. This exemption does NOT
apply to entry, exit, or other movement through the facility.
• Persons incarcerated in a jail or related facility.
• When necessary to confirm a person’s identity.
• When local, state or federal law prohibits wearing a face covering or requires removal of a face
covering.
Q: When does this mandate become effective? A: The mandate is effective immediately.
Q: Does my business have to comply with the mandate?
A: Yes. Masks shall be worn in any "public place" meaning any place open to all members of the
public without specific invitation, including but not necessarily limited to, retail business
establishments, government offices, medical, educational, arts and recreational institutions,
public transportation, including taxi cabs and ride sharing vehicles, outdoor public areas,
including but not limited to public parks, trails, streets, sidewalks, lines for entry, exit, or service,
when a distance of at least six feet cannot be maintained from any non-household member.
Q: I own a childcare and it’s difficult to keep masks on the children. What do I do?
A: The mandate states that anyone over the age of 2 should wear a mask, but we understand
this is difficult with young children. We ask that you do the best you can. Try to be encouraging
of masks and role model by wearing one yourself and having all staff wear them as well.