Kootenai County to educate about, then enforce quarantine on out-of-state travelers

Idaho Gov. Brad Little added a new 14-day quarantine requirement for nonessential, out-of-state travelers to his extended stay-home order on Wednesday, and Kootenai County’s sheriff said he is prepared to enforce the measure initially through education.

But people who violate the order after a verbal warning could be cited or arrested on misdemeanor charges, Sheriff Ben Wolfinger said in a statement.

Kootenai County had 49 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of Thursday while Bonner County had four, according to the Panhandle Health District. Officials are no longer monitoring 28 cases who have improved symptoms.

Idaho reported about 1,500 confirmed cases as of Thursday evening.

Little’s new mandate for travelers applies to non-Idaho residents who aren’t traveling to perform or receive essential services. Essential purposes include health care, food, supplies and caring for family. Outdoor recreation is not considered essential.

Commuting between states for essential work duties – whether the employee is an Idaho resident or not – is allowed.

The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately return a request for comment on this report.