• June 24, 2020: Order took effect in Ada County.
• June 26, 2020: Order was made void during an emergency board meeting after it was discovered that the meeting at which the order was oringially decided upon, did not receive proper public notification.
  • The board voted to adopt a new order, which was signed and made effective immediately. No changes were made to the original wording of the order. All elements from the original order were adopted and are included in the order signed.
• July 7, 2020: Order was voided to cure an open meeting violation. The Board re-adopted the order, which was made effective immediately with the following change in language: Gatherings of 50 or more, both public and private, shall [formerly, should] be avoided. People participating in gatherings of 50 or fewer people, while permitted, should adhere to social distancing and sanitation and wear face coverings. No other language was changed from the previous order. Additionally, the Board supported that CDH Director Russ Duke and staff draft language around face coverings for consideration at the July 14, 2020 Board meeting.
• July 14, 2020: Board approved the addition of mandatory face coverings to the Ada County Order.
  View Board of Health agendas HERE.
• July 21, 2020: The Central District Health Board met for its regularly scheduled meeting to discuss recent COVID-19 developments. As part of the meeting, Dr. Peterman, CEO with Primary Health provided testing data from across Primary Health’s Ada and Canyon County test sites, which most recently shows a 9.6% positivity rate. Discussion also occurred around the recent increase in cases among those younger than 18 years and what that might mean with the start of the upcoming school year and into the school year with the onset of cold and flu season.
  CDH’s Board discussed the idea of drafting specific, clear mandatory mask language for all schools within Ada County for future consideration. Draft language will be written and posted to CDH’s website for public comment in advance of the next Board meeting on July 28, 2020. The Board may also consider mandatory mask language to include child care settings in Ada County.
• July 28, 2020: The Board of Health approves specific language clarifying the mandatory wearing of face coverings/masks in educational settings within Ada County.
• August 4, 2020: Board of Health requests draft Order language be written for consideration at August 11 meeting. Requested draft language includes: A face covering order for Valley County, limiting group gatherings in Ada County to a size of less than 25 or less than 10, and closing gyms in Ada County. Draft language for these discussion points will be posted to the Board of Health web page and available for written comment to the Board: boh@cdh.idaho.gov. Please ensure comments are submitted by 4 pm on Monday, August 10 to allow time for Board review. Anticipated discussion at the August 11 meeting will also include a review of recent data points being used in public health decision making within CDH's jurisdiction of Ada, Boise, Elmore, and Valley Counties. | View Board of Health Meetings Page
• August 11, 2020: Board of Health approves face covering order for Valley County; restricts Ada County social gatherings to no more than 10 people | New Valley County Face Covering Order | Updated Ada County Order
• September 4, 2020: Board of Health approves lifting quarantine on all bars and nightclubs when CDH designates Ada County as category 2 (Yellow) for schools. All bars and nightclubs previously closed by order of quarantine are allowed to open to the public for on-site consumption of beverages after the district approves their individual plans for reopening. | Updated Ada County Order
• October 20, 2020: CDH Board voted unanimously to implement the updated Ada County Order to include allowing visitation to Long Term Care facilities. This goes into effect immediately. | Updated Ada County Order
• February 19, 2021: CDH Board of Health voted unanimously to lift the Ada County Order.

Gatherings

• Large Gatherings (concert venues, sporting venues, parades, festivals, etc.) - prohibited
• Gatherings of 50 or more, both public and private - prohibited
• Social gatherings of more than 10 people - prohibited (see page 1, section 2 for details)

Interactions / Face Coverings

• At least 6' of physical distancing required between individuals not living in the same household
• Every person* is required to wear a face covering that completely covers the person's nose and mouth when in a public place, or on the property of a public or private or charter school, or technical school, or college or university, and others are present and physical distancing of 6' cannot be maintained
  • When any person is inside a primary or secondary school facility, facial coverings as described above shall be worn irrespective of whether physical distancing can be maintained unless a person is alone in a private office with doors closed or for educators when providing instruction to students and a distance of 10 feet can be maintained
  • "Public place" shall mean any place open to all members of the public
    without specific invitation, including but not necessarily limited to, retail business
    establishments, government offices, medical, arts, educational and recreational
    institutions, public transportation, including taxi cabs and ridesharing 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.
  • *See section 4 B of order for exceptions to face covering requirement

  Businesses/Workplaces

  • Visits to the Ada County Jail and state correctional facilities are prohibited (see page 3, section 6 for details)
  • Visits to long-term care facilities are allowed based on the outlined parameters (see page 3, section 7 for details)
  • When Central District Health designates Ada County as category 2 (Yellow) for schools, all bars and nightclubs previously closed by order of quarantine are allowed to open to the public for on-site consumption of beverages after the district approves their individual plans for reopening that includes the outlined protocols (see page 4, section 8 for details)
  .

Gatherings of more than 10 people, both public and private, are prohibited, including attendance at extracurricular activities such as sporting events. People who participate in gatherings of 10 people or less, while permitted, must adhere to physical distancing and proper sanitation standards.

Gatherings are defined as by the CDC as “a planned or spontaneous event, indoors or outdoors, with a small number of people participating or a large number of people in attendance such as a community event or gathering, concert, festival, conference, parade, wedding, or sporting event.”

Every person (see exceptions in an FAQ) is required to wear a face covering that completely covers the person’s nose and mouth when the person is in a public place and others are present, and physical distancing of 6 feet cannot be maintained.

A “public place” is defined as 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 ridesharing 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.

• Children under the age of 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 deaf or hard of hearing, or communicating with a person who is deaf or 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 engage in physical distancing.
• Persons actively engaged in athletic competition, training or practice when wearing a face covering is not feasible.

The requirement to wear a face covering in public places that are open to the general public without specific invitation is addressed in the order of quarantine and restriction, which people are required to follow by law. A person can be issued a misdemeanor if they are in violation of any part of the order. CDH is relying heavily on the public's willingness to comply and recognize that wearing a face covering is a valuable tool to protect our communities. In working with our law enforcement partners, we anticipate the enforcement approach will largely be focused on education.

No. It's been noted through case investigations and contact tracing that masking and physical distancing aren't being practiced during gatherings.

It is recommended to find alternative ways to host gatherings such as; Live streaming the event/gathering, having people stay in their vehicles participating from a distance ,safely or scheduling times(shifts) where a few people attend while practicing physical distancing and mask usage.

No. It's been noted through case investigations and contact tracing that masking and physical distancing aren't being practiced during gatherings.

CDH understands the need for people to be able to see mouth formations, read lips, especially when it comes to educational settings, and in particular, early learners. Face shields should go at or below the chin and wrap around the sides of the face to offer extra protection. Similar to cloth masks, face shields should be cleaned routinely. Both cloth masks and face shields meet CDH’s mask requirement for Ada and Valley Counties. Use as a secondary option under certain circumstances because evaluation of effectiveness is ongoing.

Within Ada and Valley Counties, the CDH public health orders require every person to wear a face covering that completely covers the person's nose and mouth when the person is in a

• public place,
• or on the property of a public or private or charter school,
• or technical school or college or university,
• and others are present and physical distancing of 6 feet cannot be maintained.

The Board of Health is able to receive email correspondence, typically suggestions and complaints: boh@cdh.idaho.gov. This remains the most effective way to communicate ideas or suggestions to the Board. They will not respond to these emails but will review them in summary form.

There are currently no travel restrictions when leaving or entering Idaho. A 14-day self-quarantine is encouraged, but not required, for people entering Idaho from another country or from an area outside Idaho with substantial community spread or case rates higher than Idaho. Residents need to be mindful of where they travel and take appropriate precautions.

No. A negative test result during that timeframe (14-day self-quarantine) doesn’t shorten that period. If the health department or someone with COVID identifies you as a close contact, you need to quarantine for 14 days after that last exposure..

CDH’s Board of Health voted to make wearing a mask a requirement for the public visiting CDH buildings for any reason, whether it’s to seek services or attend the Board of Health meeting public viewing room.

Six-foot physical distancing will be required and face coverings must be worn when inside of a CDH facility. A face covering must fit close to your face without large side-gaps that covers the nose and mouth. Acceptable face coverings include: Cloth masks made of tightly woven fabrics, such as cotton and cotton blends, and medical and non-medical disposal masks. Any mask that incorporates a valve or vent, or contains openings, holes, or visible gaps is non-compliant. The only exception to the face covering requirement is children age two and younger. Any person who does not wish to physically distance and wear a face covering will not be allowed to enter and is invited to observe the meeting through live streaming on their own device. No food or drink are allowed in the meeting rooms. No outdoor viewing option will be available. No verbal public comments will be accepted during the meeting.

CDH follows a national case definition for the classification of a COVID-related death. It states that a death may be classified as COVID-related if “a death certificate lists COVID-19 disease or SARS-CoV-2 as an underlying cause of death or a significant condition contributing to death”. All death certificate information is compiled by the Idaho Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics (IDHW). BVRHS transmits the information to the Bureau of Communicable Disease Control (IDHW) when a person’s death certificate meets this criteria. Staff from the Bureau of Communicable Disease Control then relay the information to the individual health districts.

Yes, when the facilities are following protocols outlined in the Ada County Order. Under the Public Health Advisory, it’s recommended to suspend visits to all congregate living facilities.

Facilities should use the COVID-19 county positivity rate, found on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services COVID-19 Nursing Home Data site, as additional information to determine how to facilitate indoor visitation. If positivity is greater than 10%, visitation should only occur for compassionate care situations according to the core principles and COVID-19 infection prevention and facility policies. Find the Order here.

Under the Public Health Advisory, it is recommended to discontinue youth and adult sports/activities in which physical distancing is not possible. It is also recommended to discontinue school extracurricular activities of all types in which physical distancing cannot be maintained AND where physical distancing can be maintained but the activity requires increased breathing, such as choir and band.

Under the Statewide Order: Extra-curricular activities, including athletics, practice, matches, performances and games are permitted in this stage, allowing attendance of the participants necessary for the competition to occur, including but not limited to players, instructors, coaches, and officials. Attendance by non-participants, including but not limited to, spectators, pep bands and cheerleaders, are not allowed in this stage.

• Safe Gatherings
• Youth Activities

While CDH’s board issued the order, we are not an enforcement agency. CDH's Information Call Center can refer you to a contact with the city or county. To reach the Call Center, dial (208) 321-2222.

If you cannot get through, please leave a message and do not call 911 or the non-emergency number. We anticipate that cities and counties will take an educational approach to enforcement as they have with past state and local orders.

The Order is a mandate and is enforceable. The public health advisory includes strong recommendations. A public health advisory is not a mandate like a public health order, but it’s a means of communicating a message of caution and offering guidance to the public. CDH issues public health advisories in situations where there is a risk to the public and offers strong recommendations for people to take to reduce their risk.

A public health advisory is not a legal mandate and therefore does not carry the possibility of someone receiving a citation, as a public health order does.