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
