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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
- City Staff presented to Administrative and Public Works Finance Committees the process for updating the City’s Pandemic Preparedness Plan.
March 10
- Weekly regional meetings in Latah County kick off.
- Weekly regional meetings Whitman County attended by Moscow representatives.
March 13
- President of the United States issues Proclamation on Declaring a National Emergency Concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak.
- Mayor Lambert issues Proclamation of Local Disaster Emergency in the City of Moscow due to COVID-19, effective for 7 days.
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
- City provides curb-side signage and approval for interested businesses.
- 116th Congress passes Family First Coronavirus Response Act.
March 20
- Council approves addition of City Code – Emergency Powers Ordinance (Ordinance 2020-03 was approved unanimously establishing enactment of Title 1 Chapter 11- Moscow City Code Entitled Emergency Powers).
- Mayor issues Public Health Emergency Order 20-01: Restricts gatherings of groups of more than ten persons within the boundaries of the City of Moscow. This prohibits dine-in service for bars and restaurants, but the Order does provide for curbside pick-up, take-out and drive-through of food and/or drink service. These limitations and restrictions do not apply to businesses that serve fewer than ten individuals at a time, nor do they apply to grocery stores, gas stations, and pharmacies, nor to emergency overnight or day shelters that provide food service to persons experiencing homelessness. Effective for 7 days.
- Council approves Resolution 2020-06:, extending Emergency Order 20-01 to May 5.
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
- Governor Brad Little Issues Statewide Stay-At-Home Order.
March 26
- Council approves Resolution 2020-07: Extends Emergency Order 20-02 to May 5.
April 30
- Governor Brad Little Issues Statewide Stay Healthy Order (PDF), initiating Stage 1 of Idaho Rebounds.
- Council approves Resolution 2020-09: Terminates the Mayor’s Proclamation of Local Disaster Emergency and Public Health Emergency Orders 20-01 and 20-02
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
- City Council unanimously voted to adopt Resolution 2020-22 Continuation of Amended Public Health Emerg Order 20-03 to January 5, 2021, extending Public health Emergency Order 20-03 until January 5, 2021.
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:
- Review of recommendations of the City’s institutional partners:
- Latah County
- Gritman Medical Center
- The University of Idaho
- Moscow School District
- COVID-19 Conditions in Whitman County
- Although a different assessment tool is utilized by the State of Washington, the data could be standardized with Idaho’s metrics by applying the PH-INCD assessment tool to Whitman County’s numbers.
December 7, 2020
- City Council unanimously voted to adopt Resolution 2020-17 Continued Acceptance and Extension of The Mayor's Amended Public Health Emergency Order 20-03 to 11:59 pm, on June 9, 2021.
January 19, 2021
- City Council unanimously voted to adopt amendments to Title 1 - Chapter 11.
Related Documents
- Resolution 2021-08 Terminating Amended Public Health Emergency Order 20-03
- Resolution 2021-04 Suspending Specific Sidewalk Cafe Regulations
- Resolution No. 2020-27 Continued Acceptance and Extension of The Mayor's Amended Public Health Emergency Order 20-03 to 11:59 pm, on June 9, 2021
- Resolution 2020-22 Continuation of Amended Public Health Emerg Order 20-03 to January 5, 2021
- Public Health Emergency Order No. 20-04 temporary suspension of daycare and zoning regulations (608362)
- Resolution 2020-17 Continuation of Amended Public Health Emerg Order 20-03
- Mayor Lambert Public Health Emergency Order 20-03
- Resolution 2020-07 Authorizing acceptance and extension of Mayor public health emergency order 20-02 made effective March 24, 2020
- Governor Little Statewide Stay-at-Home Order COVID-19
- Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Plan March 2020
- Ordinance 2020-03 establishing enactment of Title 1 Chapter 11- Moscow City Code Entitled Emergency Powers
- Moscow Resolution 2020-06
- Moscow Public Health Emergency Order No 20-01
- 2020-05 Continuation of the Mayor's Proclamation of Local Disaster Emergency (PDF)
- Moscow Public Health Emergency Order No 20-02
- Mayor Lambert Coronavirus Proclamation