Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls to close dine-in restaurants, bars Monday due to COVID-19; no new cases confirmed

The Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls city governments declared emergency health orders to close bars and dine-in restaurants at midnight Monday in order to slow the spread of COVID-19 during special meetings Saturday.

The closures will be in effect for at least two weeks, the orders said. Take-out, drive-thru and delivery will be allowed during that period. Cash payments are strongly discouraged.

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Kootenai County held at three as of late Saturday afternoon, according to the state health department. The other four northern counties – Bonner, Boundary, Benewah and Shoshone – remained without confirmed cases.

Statewide officials reported 41 cases, with 21 of them attributed to Blaine County in south central Idaho, where officials have said there is community spread. Residents have been ordered to stay in their homes unless they have a vital reason to leave.

Gov. Brad Little has resisted forcing schools, restaurants, bars and other businesses to close statewide, though Coeur d’Alene Public Schools and other large districts have decided not to have school in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Little recommended strict social distancing and avoiding bars and restaurants instead.

Kootenai County officials were not considering forcing businesses or restaurants closed when the Panhandle Health District confirmed the first local case Thursday afternoon, according to Chief Chris Way of the Kootenai County Emergency Medical Services System. Instead, officials recommended adhering to strict social distancing guidelines.