Today I extended my Directives through April 24 to protect Montanans from COVID-19 by slowing the spread of the virus in Montana.

These extensions include my stay at home order, school closures, on-premises dining and beverage operations, eviction and foreclosure suspensions and service disconnections and the mandatory 14-day self-quarantine for travelers coming into Montana.

We don’t have to become like New York, Louisiana or Idaho. We know that staying home will help to flatten the curve. For every person we take out of the chain of transmission of this virus, the more likely our health care facilities can handle the capacity to respond, and the more likely we can beat back this virus sooner rather than later.

We stay at home to ensure that our health care workers and first responders have adequate time to receive the supplies to keep them, their patients, and their families safe. We stay home to protect Montanans in our rural communities and our rural health care workers who face long distances to access care.

Stay home. Avoid gatherings or hanging out with people outside of your household. Only go out if you are an essential worker, or to take a trip to the grocery store, or to enjoy some fresh air.

I would also encourage you to wear a cloth mask or face covering, consistent with CDC guidelines, in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, such as at grocery stores or pharmacies. Please use cloth face coverings and not surgical masks or N95 masks which are desperately needed by our health care workers and first responders. It’s also important to know that while cloth masks do help protect those around you, they should not be used as a replacement to social distancing or other protective measures such as washing your hands.

We stay at home for the Montanans in our rural communities and for our rural health care workers.

We are a state where there can be long distances to access care. It’s easy to look at the map of COVID-19 cases and see that many Central and Eastern Montana counties don’t yet have a positive case.

While this seems like a bright spot, an outbreak in a rural community could overrun a local healthcare facility. The distances between critical care access hospitals in Montana are far between. It is already difficult for our fellow rural Montanans to access care, and we ought not make those challenges more cumbersome.

And we stay at home so that we can more quickly rebuild our thriving economy. It is not a choice between a healthy population and a healthy economy. The two go hand in hand.

Managing this public health crisis now will help to prevent long-term consequences that could upend our economy for a longer duration and with a worse outcome.

I know this is an extremely challenging time for small businesses and workers alike. We continue to strive to do everything we can to help support those businesses and workers during this time.

I can’t stress enough that every step Montanans take now and in the following weeks will make all the difference in stopping the spread of COVID-19 and getting our economy back up and running. Thanks so much for everything you are doing to slow the spread of this virus and care for the members of your community.

You can view all my Directives that have been extended online at: https://covid19.mt.gov/joint-information-center

Sincerely,

STEVE BULLOCK
Governor

Governor Bullock Extends Directives Issued to Respond to COVID-19 Pandemic

Directives Extended Through April 24 to Protect Montanans by Slowing the Spread of COVID-19

MONTANA – Governor Steve Bullock today extended through April 24 Directives he issued to protect Montanans from COVID-19 by slowing the spread of the virus in Montana. The Directives were set to expire on April 10.

“We know that staying home will help to flatten the curve. For every person we take out of the chain of transmission of this virus, the more likely our health care facilities can handle the capacity to respond, and the more likely we can beat back this virus sooner rather than later,” Governor Bullock said. “We stay at home to ensure that our health care workers and first responders have adequate time to receive the supplies to keep them, their patients, and their families safe. We stay home to protect Montanans in our rural communities and our rural health care workers who face long distances to access care.”

“We also stay home so that we can more quickly rebuild to a thriving economy. It is not a choice between a healthy population and a healthy economy — the two go hand in hand. Managing this public health crisis now will help to prevent long-term consequences that could upend our economy for a longer duration and with a worse outcome,” continued Governor Bullock.

The extension covers the stay at home order, school closures, on-premises dining and beverage operations, eviction and foreclosure suspensions and the mandatory 14-day self-quarantine for travelers coming into Montana for non-work-related travel.

Today’s Directive extends from April 10 through April 24^th the following Directives:

• Closing all non-residential public schools in Montana. Previous Directive issued March 15 and previously extended through April 10.
• Closing certain on-premises dining and beverage businesses while expanding and encouraging delivery, takeout, and drive-up options. Previous Directiveissued March 24.
• Extending the stay at home Directive except for certain essential activities, temporarily closing non-essential businesses, provided social distancing requirements, and limited non-essential travel. Previous Directive issued March 26.
• Limiting evictions, foreclosures, and disconnections for the duration of the Stay at Home Directive. Previous Directive issued March 30.
• Requiring a 14-day self-quarantine for individuals arriving in Montana for non-work-related travel. Previous Directive issued March 30, which followed Governor Bullock’s travel advisory on March 19^th.

Other Directives issued or actions taken in response to the statewide emergency do not need to be extended as they will stay in effect for the duration of the emergency or even longer. Those actions include:designating childcare facilities as essential businesses, bolstering food security for Montana families, expanding telemedicine services to Medicaid patients, issuing emergency rules to make unemployment benefits accessible to workers laid off due to COVID-19, emergency loans for small businesses through the Small Business Administration, and calling for the census deadline to be extended until at least September 30.

Tap here to get a pdf of the Extension of Directives

Thank you for your strength and compassion for our fellow Montanans during this time.

Right now, working together to fight this virus actually means staying separate.

Staying at home and taking even one Montanan out of the chain of transmission could be a life-saving act. For your neighbors, for your grandparents, for your friends. For our healthcare providers, our first responders, and our law enforcement.

We also know that approximately 10% of those who have tested positive for COVID-19 in Montana work in a healthcare setting. Staying at home means keeping our heroes on the frontline as healthy as possible. It means protecting those who are more at risk.

In addition to staying at home, always, always wash your hands.

These actions are absolutely critical in preventing the spread of the virus.

I recognize staying at home presents new challenges for our uniquely independent, uniquely Montana way of life. But we’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit – and it continues to thrive, even in these times.

We’ve seen manufacturing businesses and teachers with 3D printers making masks, and distilleries making hand sanitizer.

Montanans are also connecting with each other and with friends across the country over video and social media, hosting virtual game nights or taproom trivia and checking in frequently with loved ones.

We are making sure our craft brewery industry can still succeed by making use of curbside delivery. We are supporting our local restaurants with take out.

And we are getting that breath of fresh air that is much needed at this time. I encourage all Montanans to responsibly enjoy our public lands. That means following social distancing requirements by keeping at least six feet away from those outside your household when hiking, biking, running, or walking. Avoid crowded trailheads. And recreate near the communities you live.

We are lucky to live in a state with an abundance of spectacular, unspoiled nature right outside our backdoors.

We are also lucky to live in a place where our sense of community is strong. And I know have no doubt that it is stronger than ever before – because although we can’t actually join arms during this crisis, we recognize that the sacrifices made apart right now will ensure that our state remains together in the future.

I can’t stress enough that every step Montanans take now and in the following weeks will make all the difference in managing us through this crisis. Thanks so much for everything you are doing to play your part in slowing down the spread of this virus.

You can view all my Directives online at: https://covid19.mt.gov/joint-information-center

Sincerely,

STEVE BULLOCK
Governor

Today I directed that all travelers coming into Montana from another state or country for non-work-related purposes must undergo a 14-day self-quarantine.

The Directive follows my previous travel advisory for those traveling internationally, and also advises vacation listings and rental sites to notify any out-of-state renters about the quarantine requirement.

Health care workers traveling to assist Montanans are excluded from the Directive.

My Directive applies both to Montana residents and non-residents entering the state for non-work-related purposes. It requires a self-quarantine for 14 days, or the duration of the traveler’s non-work trip to Montana.

Further, the Directive authorizes the Montana National Guard to conduct temperature checks at Montana airports and rail stations and screen for potential exposure history for travelers arriving in Montana from another state or country.

You can read my full Directive HERE.While we love our visitors, we would ask them not to come visit while Montanans are watching out for one another by staying at home. This is important not only to protect our health care system, but also to protect against the spread of COVID-19.

As of today, travel from another state or country is the most common known source of COVID-19 infections in Montana. I am asking anyone who is in Montana and has recently traveled from another state or country to do the right thing and self-quarantine for 14 day.

Thank you again for your comments to my office and your continued work to share important information with our Montana communities. Please continue to practice social distancing guidelines and stay at home unless it is essential.

My top priority is to protect the health and safety of all Montanans. I will continue to closely monitor the situation of cross-state travel as more information becomes available, and I will take any further action needed to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our communities.

Sincerely,

STEVE BULLOCK
Governor

Here’s a note from Representative Debo Powers…

Today I today issued a Directive requiring Montanans to stay home and temporarily closes all nonessential businesses and operations to stop the spread of COVID-19.

The order goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. on March 28 and will buy us time for health care workers on the frontlines to limit long term impacts to the state’s economy.

In consultation with public health experts, health care providers, and emergency management professionals, I have determined that to protect public health and human safety, it is essential, to the maximum extent possible, individuals stay at home or at their place of residence.

There’s no doubt that COVID-19 is causing a lot of hardship. It’s also causing incredible hardships for our doctors, nurses and other hospital staff across the country. We need to give them a fighting chance to get ahead of this virus.

The Directive will be in effect through Friday, April 10 and requires all businesses and operations in Montana, except for essential businesses and operations as defined in the Directive, to stop all activities within the state.

Businesses with questions can contact a dedicated state line at 1-800-755-6672 and leave messages 24-hours a day and will receive a prompt response.

The Directive also prohibits all public and private gatherings of any number of people occurring outside a household or place of residence.

Essential services and businesses will remain operational and open. Businesses deemed essential are required to comply with social distancing guidelines when possible including maintaining six feet of distance, having sanitizing products available, and designating hours of operation specifically for vulnerable populations.

Under the Directive, Montanans may leave their homes for essential activities, including:

• For health and safety. To engage in activities or perform tasks essential to their health and safety, or to the health and safety of their family or household members (including, but not limited to, pets), such as seeking emergency services, obtaining medical supplies or medication, or visiting a health care professional.
• For necessary supplies and services. To obtain necessary services or supplies for themselves and their family or household members, or to deliver those services or supplies to others, such as groceries and food, household consumer products, supplies they need to work from home, and products necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences.
• For outdoor activity. To engage in outdoor activity, provided the individuals comply with social distancing, such as walking, hiking, running, or biking. Individuals may go to public parks and open outdoor recreation areas, including public lands in Montana provided they remain open to recreation. Montanans are discouraged from outdoor recreation activities that pose enhanced risks of injury or could otherwise stress the ability of local first responders to address the COVID-19 emergency (e.g., backcountry skiing in a manner inconsistent with avalanche recommendations or in closed terrain).
• For certain types of work. To perform work providing essential products and services at Essential Businesses or Operations or to otherwise carry out activities specifically permitted in this Directive, including Minimum Basic Operations.
• To take care of others. To care for a family member, friend, or pet in another household, and to transport family members, friends, or pets as allowed by this Directive.

You can read my full Directive HERE.

My Directive follows federal guidance to determine the businesses and operations deemed essential, which are summarized in the Directive and can also be found here: https://www.cisa.gov/publication/guidance-essential-critical-infrastructure-workforce.

For the most up to date information on COVID-19 please go to: https://covid19.mt.gov/

As Montanans, we have an obligation to slow the spread of this virus. Our fellow Montanans are counting on all of us to follow these stay at home measures and save lives.

Thank you again for your comments to my office and for sharing this information with others in your community. We must take COVID-19 seriously, and we must take the measures now to flatten the curve and give our front-line healthcare workers the ability to fight this disease.

Working together, we can save the lives of our fellow Montanans and our economy from long-term impacts.

Sincerely,

STEVE BULLOCK
Governor

To protect the health and safety of employees and members of the public during the COVID-19 outbreak in accordance with guidance from federal and state authorities, the Flathead County Resource Advisory Committee scheduled to meet April 1, 2020, at the Flathead National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Kalispell, Montana, will perform its committee duties virtually, rather than meeting in-person. The committee will attend to the agenda items as published in the Federal Register https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/03/16/2020-05356/flathead-resource-advisory-committee.

This meeting is open to public. Please contact Janette Turk, Committee Coordinator, by phone at 406-758-5335 or via email at Janette.turk@usda.gov for information on how to participate virtually.

Thank you for your patience as we manage our response to the pandemic and do our best to continue operations while minimizing risk.