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1. When do I have to wear a face covering?

When you are in a place that is open to the public, either indoors and outdoors, and you are unable to maintain a 6-foot physical distance from non-household members.

2. Do I have to wear a face covering when I am home?

No. The ordinance only applies when you are in a public place and cannot maintain social distancing from non-household members.

3. What is a public place?

A public place is any place that is open to the public, either indoors and outdoors e.g. retail businesses, government offices, medical, educational, arts and/or recreational institutions, public transportation, including taxis and ridesharing vehicles.

4. Do I have to wear a face covering when I leave my home?

You only have to wear a face covering if you are unable to maintain a 6-foot physical distance from a non-household member when in a public place.

5. Do I have to wear a face covering when I go to a grocery store, retail establishment, or any business that is open to the public?

If you are able to maintain a 6-foot physical distance from non-household members, then you are not required to wear a face covering.  However, it is generally accepted that maintaining a 6-foot physical distance from non-household members in these public indoor spaces is not guaranteed. 

Please note, businesses have the right to require and enforce the wearing of face coverings upon entry and throughout the time spent in the business, regardless of whether the 6-foot physical distancing can be maintained. If a business asks a person to leave for not wearing a face covering and the person refuses, they can be cited for trespassing.

6. Do I have to wear a face covering when I go for a walk or on a bike ride?

No, as long as you can maintain a 6-foot physical distance from non-household members. If you are unable to maintain the 6-foot physical distance from a non-household member, then you are required to wear a face covering.

7. If I have a medical exemption, do I have to provide documentation showing I am medically exempt?

No. You do not need to provide documentation that demonstrates you cannot medically tolerate wearing a face covering.

8. Are there exceptions to the ordinance?

Yes. For example, there are exceptions for children under the age of five, people who are deaf or hard of hearing, people who cannot medically tolerate wearing a face covering, people who are eating or drinking at a restaurant or other establishment. For the full list of exceptions, visit https://bit.ly/3ffLWi8.

9. Can a business be cited for not requiring face coverings?

The mandate requires individuals to wear a face covering in public when 6-feet of physical distancing isn’t possible, and a public place is defined as any place open to the public, either indoors and outdoors, such as a retail business, government office, etc. Individuals can be cited for not wearing a face covering, but business owners/managers cannot be cited for not enforcing the City’s ordinance. If the business can ensure that 6-feet of physical distancing is available and utilized at all times by patrons, the ordinance would not apply inside that business.

10. Can I be fined for failing to wear a mask in a public place?

Yes. After December 21, those who don’t comply with the ordinance can be cited with an infraction which can result in a possible fine of $50.

11. Does my child have to wear a mask while at daycare if the daycare is closed to the public?

A daycare is not defined as a public place therefore, not covered by the ordinance.

12. Who is enforcing the ordinance?

Southeastern Idaho Public Health is assisting the City with initial education efforts about the ordinance before official enforcement takes place starting December 21. After December 21, a person could be cited for a violation of the ordinance by the Pocatello Police Department.

13. Why doesn’t Chubbuck require masks when Pocatello does?

While the two cities share a border, they are separate municipal jurisdictions. Citizens with questions about the City of Chubbuck’s operations can call 208-237-2400.

14. Is an ordinance a law?

Yes. Ordinance is the term for the laws that govern a City.