The Blackfeet Indian Reservation is now under a mandatory 14-day stay-at-home order after health officials reported the reservation’s first COVID-19 cases. Blackfeet and Glacier County officials identified nine confirmed cases of COVID-19 among residents over the weekend.
Tribal and county officials say all nine people who tested positive are quarantined, and any close contacts have been notified.
The Blackfeet Tribal Business Council implemented the stay-at-home order Saturday, saying there’s the potential the disease is community spread on the reservation. The council is also calling for a halt of all social gatherings. This includes any held at recently reopened restaurants and campgrounds, as well as other resident group events.
This development follows tribal leaders’ decision to close reservation roads leading to the east entrances of Glacier National Park for the remainder of the tourism season. Tribe officials said the move is meant to protect vulnerable residents.
The Glacier County Health Department now reports 12 active cases in the county, including the nine on reservation.
Most of the state continues on with Phase 2 of Gov. Steve Bullock’s reopening plan. The state announced 56 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, the largest single-day spike since the pandemic reached Montana.
