Montana Governor Greg Gianforte announced last week that he was removing health mandates issued by his predecessor, former Governor Steve Bullock, because he believes the restrictions are harmful to the state’s businesses.
Under the new rules, casinos as well as restaurants, bars, breweries and distilleries no longer must close at 10 p.m. or limit occupancy of 50 percent. Bullock imposed the rules last November as the state reached record-high Covid-19 infection rates. Gianforte said he wants to move away from specific mandates toward greater “personal responsibility,” but urged businesses to follow the recommendations of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and industry groups.
Additionally, Gianforte removed limits of the size of public gatherings. Previously, only 25 people were allowed at gatherings where social distancing isn’t possible. However, counties still may issue stricter local health mandates; Gallatin and Missoula officials said they will keep the stricter limits in place for certain businesses.
The statewide mask mandate, issued in July, remains in place. Gianforte said masks will be required until more vulnerable people receive the Covid-19 vaccine and lawmakers pass a measure that will protect businesses and health care providers from lawsuits related to the virus. He said, “I look forward to a day when we can all take off our masks, throw them in the trash and get on with our lives in a safe manner. Until we get there, I continue to choose to wear a mask and I encourage others to do the same.”
Gianforte said as of mid-January, about 42,000 Montana residents have received the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. Montana health officials reported nearly 88,000 Covid-19 cases since the pandemic began, including more than 1,000 deaths.” That could spike back up. We’re not out of the woods yet, but the trend is encouraging,” Gianforte said.
