Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Order of the Director Dave Jeppesen

Order to Self-Isolate dated March 25, 2020

Authority:  I.C. § 56-1003(7)

56-1003.  POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE DIRECTOR. The director shall have the following powers and duties:….

(7)  The director, under rules adopted by the board of health and welfare, shall have the power to impose and enforce orders of isolation and quarantine to protect the public from the spread of infectious or communicable diseases or from contamination from chemical or biological agents, whether naturally occurring or propagated by criminal or terrorist act.

(a)  An order of isolation or quarantine issued pursuant to this section shall be a final agency action for purposes of judicial review. However, this shall not prevent the director from reconsidering, amending or withdrawing the order. Judicial review of orders of isolation or quarantine shall be de novo. The court may affirm, reverse or modify the order and shall affirm the order if it appears by a preponderance of the evidence that the order is reasonably necessary to protect the public from a substantial and immediate danger of the spread of an infectious or communicable disease or from contamination by a chemical or biological agent.

(b)  If the director has reasonable cause to believe a chemical or biological agent has been released in an identifiable place, including a building or structure, an order of quarantine may be imposed to prevent the movement of persons into or out of that place, for a limited period of time, for the purpose of determining whether a person or persons at that place have been contaminated with a chemical or biological agent which may create a substantial and immediate danger to the public.

(c)  Any person who violates an order of isolation or quarantine shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

Period of Self-Isolation:  From March 25th through Wednesday April 15th. 

Persons are to Self-isolate at their residence but may leave their residence and travel to do the following:  

  • For their and their family’s health, safety and care including pets or livestock (inclusive of medical supplies and medication and health care professionals. This includes obtained supplies to work at home. To care for a family member or pet in another household.
  • For needed food and supplies for household consumer products, products for safety, sanitation and essential to the operation of the residence.
  • Outdoor activity such as walking, biking, running, hiking but must maintain social distancing.
  • To work at an essential products and services businesses. 

Essential Business Operations Include:

  • Healthcare Operations
  • Grocery stores, food markets, farm and produce stands etc.
  • Food cultivations and production including livestock
  • Newspapers and television
  • Gas stations and convenience stores
  • Food, shelter and social services and other necessities for disadvantaged and needy
  • Public Works Construction
  • Commercial Construction
  • Housing Construction
  • Airport operations
  • Water
  • Sewer
  • Gas
  • Electrical
  • Roads and highways
  • Public transportation
  • Banks and financial services
  • Hardware stores and firearms businesses
  • Plumber, electricians, exterminators, landscapers to provide safety and sanitation
  • Mailing and shipping businesses and post office boxes.
  • Educational institutions provided there is social distancing
  • Restaurants and other business that prepare food for delivery or carry out including schools.
  • Hotels and motels for purposes of housing or quarantine of individual who are exempt.
  • That supply products needed for people to work from home.
  • Businesses that supply other Essential Businesses or Essential Governments Functions with support or supplies
  • Businesses that ship or deliver groceries, food, goods or services directly to residences.
  • Airlines, taxis and private transportation providers providing transportation services necessary for Essential Activities
  • Home based care for seniors, adults or children
  • Professional services such as legal or accounting services when necessary to assist in compliance with legally mandated activities.
  • Childcare facilities providing services to enable employee exempted by the Order.

First Responders, emergency management personnel, enforcement personnel and other working for or to support Essential Businesses are exempt from the Order. 

Essential Government Functions:  Includes services needed to ensure the continuing operation of local government agencies so long as performed in compliance with social distancing requirement.

Minimum Basic Operations:  Requires employees to comply with Social Distancing Requirements: 

  • The minimum necessary activities to maintain value of business inventory, security, payroll and employee benefits and related functions.
  • The minimum necessary activities to facilitate employees of the business being above to continue to work remotely.

Essential Travel: Requires person to comply with Social Distancing Requirements;

  • Travel related to provision of access to Essential Activities, Essential Government Functions, Essential Businesses, or Minimum Basic Operations.
  • Travel to care for elderly, minors, dependents, persons with disabilities or other vulnerable persons.
  • Travel to and from educational institutions
  • Travel to return to a place of residence
  • Travel required by law enforcement or court order
  • Travel by non-residence to return to their residence.

Social Distancing:  Includes:

  • 6’ separation from other persons
  • Washing hands at least 20 seconds or using hand sanitizer, as frequently as possible.
  • Covering coughs and sneezes into the sleeve or elbow, not hands.
  • Regular cleaning high-touch surfaces,
  • No hand shaking

Cities are required: To provide copies of the order by:

  • Posting on its website
  • Posting at city hall
  • Provide a copy to any member of the public requesting it. 

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