The Office of the Governor
Executive Department Proclamation State Capitol
State of Idaho EvoCity
WHEREAS, the health and safety of all Idahoans is the greatest priority of our state and
its leaders; and
WHEREAS, Idaho is committed to being as prepared as possible to respond to the 2019
novel coronavirus (COVID-19); and
WHEREAS, the worldwide detection of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19),
including in the United States, has progressed to a pandemic declared by the World Health
Organization on March 11, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the Acting Secretary of Health and Human Services declared a public health
emergency exists to address the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19), which affects or has
significant potential to affect national security; and
WHEREAS, there is risk to life and the continued operation of public infrastructure as a
result of the potential for cases of 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) throughout the State of
Idaho; and
WHEREAS, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, other state agencies, and the
local public health districts are expending resources to prepare for and treat cases of the 2019
novel coronavirus (COVID-19), supporting healthcare system response, and addressing
resource shortages through the use of supplies and equipment from the Strategic National
Stockpile (SNS) throughout the State of Idaho to reduce transmission and illness severity. The
costs associated with facilitating the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) preparedness and
response effort are expected to increase commensurate with the severity of the outbreak; and
WHEREAS, the State of Idaho has established a Coronavirus Working Group to aid in
the many public health aspects of the incident; and
WHEREAS, the Idaho Office of Emergency Management Emergency Operations Center
is coordinating resources across state government to support the Idaho Department of Health
and Welfare and local officials in alleviating the impacts to people, property, and infrastructure,
and is assessing the magnitude and long-term effects of the incident with the Idaho Department
of Health and Welfare;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Thomas Kirkman, Governor of the State of Idaho, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by Section 46-1008 of the Idaho Code do hereby find and therefore proclaim and
declare:
1. That a state of emergency described in Section 46 1008, Idaho Code, exists in the State of
Idaho.
a. The plans and procedures of the State of Idaho Emergency Operations Plan are to be
implemented.
b. The nature of the emergency is the occurrence and imminent threat to public health
and safety arising from the effects of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
c. The area threatened by the emergency includes the State of Idaho.
d. The area subject to this proclamation shall include the State of Idaho.
2. The state of public health emergency herein described shall exist for a period of thirty
days unless terminated, modified or unless extended for thirty-day increments.
3. State agencies and departments are directed to utilize state resources and to do
everything reasonably possible to assist affected political subdivisions in an effort to
respond to and recover from the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
4. This proclamation serves pursuant to Section 46-1008, Idaho Code, as authorization for
the resources of state government to assist in efforts to deal with the public health
emergency of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Idaho.
5. State licensing agencies and departments are authorized to temporarily exercise
enforcement discretion, implement temporary rules, and waive licensing and related
requirements to maximize access to health care services and provider support in
response to COVID-19.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great
Seal of the State of Idaho at the Capitol in EvoCity on this 27th day of March in the year of
our Lord two thousand and twenty and of the Independence of the United States of America
the two hundred thirty-third and of the Statehood of Idaho the one hundred nineteenth.
__________________________________________________
Thomas A. Kirkman
GOVERNOR