Further Details on Montana’s Re-Opening From COVID-19

Montana will begin Phase 1 re-opening this Sunday, April 22nd, with the Stay At Home order lifted and churches being allowed to hold services. Retail is next, followed by restaurants and bars.

The following are some exact info pieces included in Governor Steve Bullock's press release regarding Montana's Phase 1 re-opening. (For the FULL Press Release, CLICK HERE)

Stay at Home Directive to Expire: As detailed in this Directive, the Stay at Home Directive is extended for individuals until Sunday, April 26 and for non-essential businesses until Monday, April 27, except as provided herein (e.g., bar and restaurant closures extended to May 4).

• Effective Sunday, April 26: Places of worship can become operational with reduced capacity and where strict physical distancing protocols can be maintained between non-household members.
• Effective Monday, April 27: Main Street and retail businesses can become operational with reduced capacity and where strict physical distancing protocols can be maintained.
• Effective Monday, April 27: Outdoor recreation can become operational if sites adhere to strict physical distancing between groups and exercise frequent sanitation protocols if public facilities are open.
• Effective Monday, May 4: Restaurants, bars, breweries, distilleries, and casinos can become operational on or after May 4, 2020 under strict physical distancing and reduced capacity protocols in accordance with State guidelines.These businesses will be required to close their doors and have all patrons out by 11:30 p.m.
• Breweries and distilleries shall follow existing laws on closing time.
• The expansions for delivery and takeout services, as provided both in the March
  24 and March 26 Directives, are extended through the end of the emergency.
• This Directive supersedes the Stay at Home Directive and any other gubernatorial Directive, to the extent there is any conflict.
• Beginning May 7, all schools have the option to return to in-classroom teaching delivery, at the discretion of local school boards.
• Gyms, pools, and hot tubs remain closed.
• Other places of assembly remain closed (e.g., movie and performance theaters, concert halls, bowling alleys, bingo halls, and music halls).
• Senior living or assisted living facilities must continue to prohibit visitors.
• Other Directives to Continue - The March 30 Directive providing mandatory quarantine for certain travelers arriving in Montana from another state or country and all of its terms are extended through the end of the emergency, unless modified by subsequent Directive.
• The March 30 and April 13 Directives providing measures to limit foreclosures, evictions, and disconnections from service and all of their terms are extended through May 24, unless modified by subsequent Directive, except as follows: For individuals who are members of a vulnerable population and who, pursuant to this Directive, remain sheltered at home, the protections of the March 30 and April 13 Directives will expire 30 days after the individual ceases to shelter at home or at the end of the emergency, whichever is sooner.
• The approach to reopening Montana will occur in phases, beginning under this Directive with Phase One.
• The duration of each phase will be regularly evaluated in close consultation with public health and emergency management professionals.
• Montana must maintain its ability to screen and test all people with COVID-19 symptoms and maintain sufficient levels of personal protective equipment.
• Negative indicators in these areas may result in the need to re-implement certain restrictions or take other protective measures.