Idaho Governor Says Nonessential Businesses Can Open After April 30

Patients and medical workers wear personal protective equipment due to COVID-19 concerns outside the emergency room at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City on April 13, 2020. John Minchillo/AP Photo

Idaho Gov. Brad Little said nonessential businesses can prepare to reopen after the end of the month amid the CCP virus pandemic.

Little made the announcement on Wednesday as he extended the state’s stay-at-home order until April 30.

“Believe me, no one wants to get Idaho back to work more than me,” Little said in a news conference. But he stipulated that the state shouldn’t reopen other parts of its economy yet because it would potentially allow for the resurgence of the virus.

“Idaho will be better positioned for a strong economic comeback because we are making difficult changes in how we live and work in the short term,” Little said. “The statewide stay-home order is working to flatten the curve and slow the spread of coronavirus in Idaho, but the science tells us if you don’t time these measures right, then we could worsen the outcome for citizens’ health and the economy weeks, or months down the road.”

He said that services and businesses deemed nonessential can now offer curbside and delivery services between April 15 and April 30.

“Any facility or service (including formerly ‘non essential’ businesses) can begin to operate via curbside services, drive-in, drive-through pickup, mailed services or delivery services,” said a post on the governor’s Facebook page.

The order still excludes businesses such as bars, gyms, event centers, and salons.

And starting on Wednesday, travelers who leave the state for nonessential business have to quarantine for 14 days when they return.

“Rebounding to an economic recovery will require consumer confidence. Without therapeutics to treat symptoms of coronavirus, without a vaccine and without herd immunity, consumers want to know what businesses will adhere to strict practices to assure their health and safety,” Little added in the news conference. “We can expect to go through phases of loosening and tightening of these measures until we do. In the meantime, I will continue to push for expanded access to testing.”

Little said he will reevaluate the stay-at-home order at the end of the month.

“I want to thank the people of Idaho for doing an incredible job protecting their neighbors and themselves by following the statewide stay-home order. We are truly a state made up of people who care for each other,” Little said.

The Epoch Times refers to the novel coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19, as the CCP virus because the Chinese Communist Party’s coverup and mismanagement allowed the virus to spread throughout China before it was transmitted worldwide.