As the governor’s out of state, the lieutenant governor of Idaho released one executive order on Thursday banning the mandatory masking policy in public buildings and schools, saying that the covering of face threatened the freedom of people.
Governor Janice McGeachin is now the acting governor while Governor Brad Little attends the Gov. Association Conference in Tennessee. He was likely to come back Thursday evening.
The previous week, McGeachin took over the office as governor, challenging first-term Little. McGeachin’s order may bolster her backing as candidate for the governor.
As per Little’s office, McGeachin didn’t make him come to know that she had planned on releasing an executive order. Meanwhile, the office did not say what Little will do upon return; however, it did state that the residents value the local control.
Little hasn’t issued any state-wide mandatory masking policy ever; however, a few counties, schools and cities have initiated it. Several have gradually been lifting the masking policy as more citizens are now vaccinated against the virus.
The Republican Secretary signed the executive order that was effective starting 11am. The Secretary’s office said it gave the confirmation that Little being out of state prior to determining that the order was viable under Idaho Constitution.