Central District Health, the government entity overseeing efforts to combat Covid-19 in Ada, Boise, Valley, and Elmore counties, could soon propose an order that requires face masks for all people in Ada County.
At an emergency board meeting Tuesday, CDH Director Russ Duke persuaded board members to authorize him and his staff to draft an ordinance that would require all people in Ada County to don face masks.
That mandate could extend to Valley County, a vacation destination for thousands of Ada County residents each weekend.
McCall, the popular resort town in Valley County, instituted its own mask mandate last week, an order which comes with a $100 fine for noncompliance.
The board declined to push Ada County back to Stage 2.
Duke will likely present the Ada County order and other action items at the board's next meeting, set for July 14.
The board's action comes just days after Boise Mayor Lauren McLean imposed a mask mandate on her city. Those who don't comply with McLean's order could face a misdemeanor charge, which could mean up to a $1,000 fine and up to six months in jail those found guilty.
McLean's order took effect on Independence Day and continues indefinitely.
Other Ada County cities — Eagle, Meridian, Kuna, Star, and Garden City — have not imposed similar mandates.
The board also decided to continue the closure of Ada County bars, a vote that came after a series of public meetings violations. The board twice voted for the closures in previous, but those votes were later invalidated due to the public meetings violations.
Additionally, the board voted to limit gatherings in the four counties to no more than 50 people, which could affect religious worship services.
Story updated July 9, 2020.
