Idaho Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin issued an executive order Thursday banning mask mandates among state political entities while Gov. Brad Little was away at a GOP-related conference.
The state never issued a mask mandate following the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, but some counties, cities, and schools have imposed related measures, according to a local NBC affiliate.
“Today, as acting Governor of the State of Idaho, I signed an Executive Order to protect the rights and liberties of individuals and businesses by prohibiting the state and its political subdivisions — including public schools — from imposing mask mandates in our state,” McGeachin wrote in a statement.
Many localities that have imposed pandemic-related mask mandates have begun lifting the rules as more residents in the state receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
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More than 2,000 people in Idaho have died from complications related to the virus, and the state has recorded 191,738 cases since COVID-19 emerged last year, according to Johns Hopkins University data.
More than 1.2 million residents in Idaho have received at least one vaccine dose, and 537,746 people have been fully vaccinated, which is roughly 31% of the state’s population.
“For those who feel at risk, then they should continue to wear (masks). But to force it on others I think is not right,” McGeachin told the Idaho Press.
McGeachin also told the outlet she had served as acting governor “five or six times” since becoming lieutenant governor, noting she was only told “just a day or two ago” that she’d be serving in that role this week. Little left the state Tuesday morning.
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Little is expected to return to the state Thursday evening following an out-of-state conference with the Republican Governors Association. Both Little and McGeachin are Republicans.
