July 15, 2020
Governor Bullock issues Directive requiring face coverings in certain indoor spaces and outdoor gatherings to prevent spread of COVID-19
Directive applies to counties currently experiencing four or more active cases of COVID-19
Governor Steve Bullock today issued a directive requiring face coverings in certain indoor spaces and for certain organized outdoor activities in counties currently experiencing four or more active cases of COVID-19 to slow the spread of the virus in Montana.
Governor Bullock issued the directive to require businesses, government offices and other indoor spaces open to the public to ensure that employees, contractors, volunteers, customers, and other members of the public wear a face mask that covers their mouth and nose while remaining inside these spaces. The directive also requires face coverings at organized outdoor activities of 50 or more people, where social distancing is not possible or is not observed.
“Many Montanans answered the call to mask up – a call that came from our hospitals, nurses, and doctors, our vibrant small business community, our frontline workers, and our high-risk neighbors,” Governor Bullock said. “I thank all of those who take seriously their personal responsibility and their role in stopping COVID-19. But we need even more Montanans, and the visitors who come here, to mask up.”
The directive is in line with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation that people wear cloth face coverings in public and when around people outside one’s household. Additionally, the CDC released a study this week concluding that “mandating the use of face coverings” in a salon in Missouri likely mitigated the spread of COVID-19 and recommended consideration of broader policies requiring face coverings. In the last month, Montana’s active cases of COVID-19 have risen from 55 to more than 1,000.
“There’s no reason this needs to be political, because COVID-19 isn’t political. Instead, this is about being a Montanan and being supportive of those around us. Montanans need to not only feel safe, but be safe to continue supporting small businesses like restaurants, breweries, clothing stores, bookshops, and more. And Montanans need to be healthy to work. Mom and pop shops in Montana often have two employees: Mom and Pop themselves. If they get COVID-19, they can’t keep their business running,” continued Governor Bullock.
The directive does not require face coverings in counties with three or fewer active cases or for children under 5, though face coverings are strongly encouraged in both cases. Other exceptions include children under 2, while eating or drinking at businesses that sell food or drinks, during activities that make face coverings unsafe (like strenuous physical exercise or swimming), while giving speeches or performances in front of a socially distanced audience, while receiving medical care or for people with a preexisting condition that would make wearing a face covering unsafe.
Under the directive, businesses, government offices and other publicly operating spaces will provide face coverings for employees and volunteers, and post signs stating that face coverings are required for people 5 and older.
Businesses, other indoor spaces open to the public and sponsors of organized outdoor activities may also deny entry, refuse service or ask any person to leave if they refuse to wear a face covering. If necessary, they may rely on peace officers to enforce the state’s trespassing laws if a person refuses to wear a face covering and refuses to leave the premises.
Local public health agencies and law enforcement should focus their enforcement of this directive on education, providing warnings and education about the risk of transmission, while reserving the imposition of penalties, trespass enforcement, and other formal enforcement mechanisms for only the most egregious, repeat violations that put the public at risk.
The directive goes into effect immediately and expires at the end of the declared statewide state of emergency. The full directive is here: https://covid19.mt.gov/Portals/223/Documents/Mask%20Directive%20FINAL.pdf?ver=2020-07-15-140109-633
Randy Williams says
so if you speak facts they refuse to post them, good to know, now I know not to bother with any FACTS or TRUTH with this liberal one sided media.
Joey says
I won’t be wearing a mask, IF masks helped then if YOU wear a mask I don’t need to wear a mask because YOUR mask worls right? Next, I have a medical condition and it’s against federal law for you to ask me about it. Also, The human body REQUIRES germs in order to BUILD anti bodies this is a medical and scientific FACT. Beyond that I suggest YOU ALL touting mask-wearing STOP being mask nazis and go learn the facts, MANY people young and old have been hospitalized for wearing masks, they are breathing their own moist germs and because the mask becomes moist in minutes OTHER peoples GERMS attach themselves to the masks and viola YOU are NOW breathing in all kinds of germs with carbon monoxide and NO WAY TO GET fresh air in, the wearing of masks WILL ONLY cause MORE deaths. Lastly, ALL medical clinics and hospitals are ordered by the feds to put down CO-VID with these symptoms, runny nose, watery eyes, stomach upset, snezzing and whezzing, so in other words if YOU have allergies you are put down as having co-vid. It’s time to STOP the lunacy here people.
Garzer says
Hear, hear! True words, my friend! Stay well…
Garzer says
This has gone beyond the pale. Again the government is trying to tell us that it knows knows what is best for its citizens.
JIM says
I won’t be wearing a mask, IF masks helped then if YOU wear a mask I don’t need to wear a mask because YOUR mask worls right? Next, I have a medical condition and it’s against federal law for you to ask me about it. Also, The human body REQUIRES germs in order to BUILD anti bodies this is a medical and scientific FACT. Beyond that I suggest YOU ALL touting mask-wearing STOP being mask nazis and go learn the facts, MANY people young and old have been hospitalized for wearing masks, they are breathing their own moist germs and because the mask becomes moist in minutes OTHER peoples GERMS attach themselves to the masks and viola YOU are NOW breathing in all kinds of germs with carbon monoxide and NO WAY TO GET fresh air in, the wearing of masks WILL ONLY cause MORE deaths. Lastly, ALL medical clinics and hospitals are ordered by the feds to put down CO-VID with these symptoms, runny nose, watery eyes, stomach upset, sneezing and wheezing, so in other words if YOU have allergies you are put down as having co-vid. It’s time to STOP the lunacy here people.
Kimberly says
It is about time!!
Triena says
I am so glad people are willing to wear masks, it means they care about there neighbors
Mike N Stevensville says
I won’t be wearing a mask. I have a medical condition, and it’s a federal HIPAA violation for you to ask me what it is.