Mask Mandates

In Idaho, masking in schools has at times been a divisive issue among parents and was even debated in the legislature this week.

The West Ada school district decided this week that masks will no longer be mandatory starting Nov. This comes during a national uptick of COVID-19 cases and the beginning of flu season.

Candidates opposed to mask requirements and critical race theory won school board seats in two of the state's largest districts Tuesday.

Health Freedom Defense Fund, and five Blaine County residents, filed the complaint in federal court at the end of September against Hailey and Mayor Martha Burke. The fund’s president, Leslie Manookian, is a Blaine County resident, and its headquarters are listed in Sandpoint.

The new mask mandate is in effect for indoor and outdoor public places where distancing is not possible. The city council will revisit the policy in one month.

As of this week, the National Park Service is requiring masks in crowded parks again. The new mask mandate will require everyone, regardless of vaccine status, to wear masks in National Park facilities and in crowded outside areas. That means you’ll need a mask wherever you can’t adequately distance outside.

Boise School District Trustees voted unanimously to adopt a mask requirement for all students, staff and visitors - regardless of vaccination status - for the upcoming school year.

As of Wednesday, masks will be required again in Boise city buildings -- even if you’re fully vaccinated.

Experts largely agree that schools should open to in-person learning this fall, but there’s disagreement on masking policies.

Governor Brad Little has reversed Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin’s ban on mask mandates around Idaho.