Coronavirus (COVID-19) 

On March 20, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City Council approved Ordinance 2020-03.  This Ordinance created a new Moscow City Code section - Title 1, Chapter 11 Emergency Powers.  Title 1, Chapter 11 Emergency Powers provides the Mayor with temporary powers in times of emergency for a period of seven days, similar to the powers authorized by Idaho Code section 46-1011.  Under this section of the Code, the City Council may extend the Emergency Powers' enactment beyond seven days by Resolution. Subsequently, Mayor Lambert issued Public Health Emergency Order 20-01 and 20-02, which were extended to May 5, 2020, by City Council Resolutions 2020-06 and 2020-07, respectively. 

On April 30, 2020, at 11:59 pm, by Resolution 2020-09, City Council terminated the previous Public Health Emergency Orders in favor of Idaho Governor Brad Little's implementation of his Idaho Rebounds plan and Stay Healthy Order, implemented on May 1, 2020. 

On July 1, 2020, in response to continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mayor Lambert issued Amended Public Health Emergency Order 20-03 (APHEO 20-03).  APHEO requires social/physical distancing when in public settings and face coverings in situations when social/physical distancing cannot be maintained. City Council extended APHEO 20-03 to June 9, 2021, by successive City Council Resolutions. The last Resolution (2020-27) included metrics to be considered by City Council to determine the potential early termination of APHEO 20-03. 

On January 19, 2021, amendments to City Code Title 1, Chapter 11 Emergency Powers were adopted to address issues identified since MCC 1-11 has been enacted. The modifications include specific language regarding those emergency powers, which activities are regulated when a public health emergency is declared, and potential penalties for violation. The presentation provided at the January 19 meeting is linked here.

Moscow’s Physical Distancing and Face Covering Public Health Order

We know that slowing the spread of COVID-19 in our community is key to keeping our healthcare system available for all healthcare needs, to avoid unnecessary losses of life, and to keep our economy viable. We know social distancing and wearing masks is the best way to help protect our friends and neighbors. We see this topic is creating disagreement and division in our community. We hope fellow Muscovites will treat each other with respect and kindness as we all learn to navigate these unprecedented times together. 

A combination of physical distancing and face coverings in Moscow is required when in public. In public spaces, social distancing is the most challenging piece of the puzzle to define. For instance, while any patron may fully intend to physically distance themselves from another in a store aisle, sometimes the best intentions don’t work out. These instances are when face coverings or masks are a great tool to help protect our friends and neighbors.

Amended Public Health Emergency Order 20-03  requires each of us to maintain a physical distancing of 6-feet from non-household members when in a public setting AND if that distancing can’t be maintained, wear a face covering unless there is a health or disability exemption. Face coverings are defined as any material that securely covers the nose and mouth, creating a barrier to help prevent respiratory droplets from traveling into the air. The face coverings may be made of a variety of materials, including but not limited to, cotton, silk, linen, flax, wool, ramie, denim, polyester, or a combination of materials or paper. The Resolution and Order are not guidelines – it is the law. 

For more information, call the City of Moscow at 208-883-7080. Click here for a list of exemptions and to review the full amended order.

Metrics to Evaluate Continuation, Extension or Termination of Amended Public Health Emergency Order 20-03

Actions Taken in Response to COVID-19 

This City of Moscow’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) response is designed to follow and support State and Federal guidelines. The City of Moscow has taken several actions in the past weeks in support of those guidelines in an effort to mitigate and prevent the impacts of COVID-19 in our area.  Actions taken in regards to COVID-19 include the following:

March 9 

March 10 

  • Weekly regional meetings in Latah County kick off.
  • Weekly regional meetings Whitman County attended by Moscow representatives.

March 13 

March 16 

  • City Staff presented updated Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Plan to City Council.
  • Council passed Resolution 2020-05 authorizing extension of March 13 declaration, extending the Mayor’s March 13, Proclamation of Local Disaster Emergency .  Extends March 13 Proclamation of local disaster to May 5.

March 18 

March 20 

March 24 

  • Mayor Lambert issues Public Health Emergency Order 20-02: Order No. 20-02 orders "there shall be no gatherings in groups of more than ten (10) persons within a facility within the boundaries of the City of Moscow." This mass gathering order applies to the general public which includes educational institutions and any assembly, including churches and religious organizations. Order No. 20-02, also includes business closures for gyms, tattoo parlors, barber shops and salons. Orders 20-01 and 20-02 do not apply to childcare/daycare services and facilities.               

March 25 

March 26

April 30

June 30

  • Due to significant increases in COVID-19 cases and escalating exposure concerns, Moscow Mayor Bill Lambert issues Amended Public Health Emergency Order No. 20-03 (PDF), (APHEO 20-03) requiring face coverings and six-foot social/physical distancing in Moscow, Idaho. Given the extreme concern of the impacts of COVID-19 in Moscow, the public health emergency order is effective at midnight on July 2, 2020.  The Moscow City Council will consider the order at their regular meeting on Monday, July 6, 2020, at 7 pm.

August 3

  • City Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2020-17 Continuation of Amended Public Health Emerg Order 20-03, extending Public health Emergency Order 20-03 until October 6, 2020 and to adopt the following definition of face covering:
    • Face covering is defined as any material that securely covers the nose and mouth, creating a barrier to help prevent respiratory droplets from traveling into the air. The face coverings may be made of a variety of materials, including but not limited to, cotton, silk, linen, flax, wool, ramie, denim, polyester, or a combination of materials or paper.

September 21

November 9, 2020

Metrics Accepted by City Council for consideration of rescinding APHEO 20-03:

  • Use of the current PH-INCD Regional Data Tool for Determining Health Alert Levels by the City Council in evaluating the continuation, extension or termination of APHEO 20-03. 
  • If all three of the factors previously listed are determined by the City Council to be in the “minimal risk” category for a period of three consecutive weeks, the Council could use this as a metric to trigger a reconsideration of APHEO 20-03.
  • Three consecutive weeks was the appropriate time frame because of the accepted two-week incubation period of the COVID-19 virus.

Additional Factors to be Considered:

December 7, 2020

January 19, 2021