TETON VALLEY, Ida. — The Victor City Council unanimously passed an emergency ordinance yesterday requiring face coverings in any indoor or outdoor public place when a continuous distance of at least six feet between persons cannot be maintained. The move follows similar ordinances in Driggs, Idaho and Jackson, Wyoming.
The decision was made at a meeting Wednesday in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and a recent uptick in local positive cases. The ordinance specifies that “public place” means any place, indoor or outdoor, that is open to the public and includes, but is not limited to, businesses or other establishments where people assemble or members of the general public may enter, offices, public buildings, and parks. The ordinance also provides for exemptions to the rule.
“This mask ordinance is supported by our health care professionals, Eastern Idaho Public Health, Teton Valley Health, and local municipalities. To date we have received an overwhelming amount of public support versus not,” said Mayor Will Frolich. “If we reach a point where we need to shut down again, we will. We want to avoid that at all costs. The fallout from having to close down again will be much more difficult to recover from than being asked to wear a face-covering in public as part of our overall efforts.”
Victor businesses are required to display signage stating that face coverings are required to enter the establishment pursuant to Victor City code or a copy of the ordinance in a conspicuous place at all public entrances to their facilities.
Every provider of short-term lodging, including hotels, Airbnb/VRBO, or similar, are required to notify incoming guests of the requirements of the ordinance prior to arrival and upon arrival, and advise them that face coverings are mandatory in this locale.
