Idaho Gov. Brad Little issues statewide stay-at-home order
Idaho Gov. Brad Little issues a 21-day stay-at-home order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus from the Idaho Military Division headquarters in Boise, Idaho, on Wednesday, March 25, 2020. Idaho has more than 91 confirmed cases of COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus, spread throughout the state. The governor also issued a new "extreme emergency" declaration for the state, a step he said would allow him to take additional steps to expand the capacity of Idaho's health care system. (AP Photo/Keith Ridler)
Crystal Hanson colors Charity Stierle's hair at the Urban Nook in Idaho Falls, Idaho, Wednesday, March 25, 2020. Gov. Brad Little issued a stay-home order Wednesday for Idaho residents for the next 21 days. The order requires Idaho's 1.75 million residents to self-isolate at home unless they are healthcare workers, public safety employees or other “essential workers” such as grocery store employees. (John Roark/The Idaho Post-Register via AP)
Patrons have beers at the R and R Bar in Idaho Falls, Idaho, Wednesday, March 25, 2020. Gov. Brad Little issued a stay-home order Wednesday for Idaho residents for the next 21 days. The order requires Idaho's 1.75 million residents to self-isolate at home unless they are healthcare workers, public safety employees or other “essential workers” such as grocery store employees.( John Roark/The Idaho Post-Register via AP)
The playground at Sorensen Magnet School of Arts & Humanities in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho is wrapped in police tape to keep children off during the school closure in an attempt to stop the spread of COVID-19 on Wednesday, March 25, 2020. (Kathy Plonka/The Spokesman-Review via AP)
State epidemiologist Dr. Christine Hahn listens during a news conference as Gov. Brad Little issues a statewide stay-at-home order to further prevent spread of coronavirus Wednesday, March 25, 2020 at Gowen Field in Boise, Idaho. (Darin Oswald/Idaho Statesman via AP)
Idaho Gov. Brad Little issues a statewide stay-at-home order to further prevent spread of coronavirus at a press conference, Wednesday, March 25, 2020 held at Gowen Field, headquarters of the Idaho Army National Guard in Boise, Idaho. (Darin Oswald/Idaho Statesman via AP)
Maj. Gen. Michael J. Garshak, commanding the Idaho National Guard, introduces Idaho Gov. Brad Little after announcing a state of readiness for the emergency management response teams at a press conference updating the state's coronavirus plans, Wednesday, March 25, 2020 at Gowen Field in Boise, Idaho. (Darin Oswald/Idaho Statesman via AP)
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho Gov. Brad Little on Wednesday issued a statewide stay-at-home order as the coronavirus continues to spread.
Little announced the order will remain in effect for 21 days.
Idaho has more than 91 confirmed cases of COVID-19 spread throughout the state.
The stay-at-home order requires Idaho's 1.75 million residents to self-isolate at home unless they are healthcare workers, public safety employees or other “essential workers” such as grocery store employees.
Little said some communities now had community spread, those areas being in central Idaho's Blaine County and highly populated southwestern Idaho, which includes Boise. Community spread means it's not clear where or from whom a person became infected.
“When you have community spread, you have to go the the next level, and that's what we're doing,” Little said.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.
The governor also issued a new “extreme emergency” declaration for the state, a step he said would allow him to take additional steps to expand the capacity of Idaho's health care system.
“We are doing everything at the appropriate time,” Little said of the stay-at-home order. “We are all in this together.”
Washington state and Oregon have also issued statewide stay-at-home orders in recent days.
“Given where we are in the biology of this disease, it's important to do now to get the message out to all of Idaho,” Little said. “We absolutely have to have this take place.”
People won't be arrested for taking walks if they are 5 feet (1.5 meters) or more away from others, Little said. Essential businesses — including grocery stores and medical facilities — will be allowed to remain open. Little said the language of the order will be made public soon.
“If your car breaks down and you can't get to the grocery store, fixing that car is an essential service,” Little said.
Little said the state is actively trying to get medical gear, including personal protective equipment to protect healthcare workers from getting the virus. But he said the state is competing with other states and even nations that are now realizing the magnitude of the pandemic.
"We have one order that just got here and others on the way, trying to manage that as best we can for the whole state of Idaho," he said. “This will continue to be a big emphasis.”
Little made the announcement at the Idaho Military Division headquarters shortly after a briefing with the joint staff of the Idaho National Guard.