Idaho Governor Brad Little has extended by two weeks statewide stay-at-home orders to combat the coronavirus. But he announced in Boise today [Wednesday] that some businesses that have been considered non-essential will be allowed to reopen. Little says that includes businesses such as garden and jewelry stores and pet groomers.
“What we’ve heard from them is we can provide the same security as restaurants you’re allowing to do take home if you’ll let us do that," Little said.
The governor says the state will monitor the spread of the virus during the next two weeks, with an eye toward continuing with gradual steps toward reopening the economy.
Little was asked what he thought of calls by legislative leaders and others who have criticized his handling of the pandemic. He defended a process he says is determined by what the scientific data say.
“I have to do what’s right for the safety of the people of the state of Idaho," he said. "I’m keenly aware there’s places in the state where, to their knowledge, they don’t have any spread. But because we don’t have enough testing, we’re not fully confident of that. The other issue is those are the areas that have the least amount of health care capacity.”
Little says the upcoming two-week period will give more businesses and other institutions time to plan in case they get the call to open after that.