Several counties in Montana announced Monday they’re taking aggressive steps to reduce large gatherings to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. The orders come just a day before St. Patrick’s Day celebrations kick off across the state.
This story has been updated to include notifications from Cascade County at 8:30 P.M. 03/16/20.
While many businesses are adjusting services or voluntarily postponing or canceling events, Monday appears to mark the first government top-down directive to limit crowd sizes.
Butte-Silver Bow County Health Officer Karen Sullivan said during a Facebook Live event that actions must be taken to avert and minimize the outbreak of COVID-19. Silver Bow County has a confirmed case.
“All bars, breweries, distilleries, casinos, restaurants and gyms, with the exception of drive-through, delivery and pick-up services, within the city and county of Butte-Silver Bow Montana shall be closed to the public, effective at 4 P.M. today, Monday, ” Sullivan said.
Missoula, Gallatin, Silver Bow, Lewis and Clark, and Yellowstone Counties announced similar closure orders Monday.
People in Missoula, Gallatin, Silver Bow, Broadwater and Yellowstone counties have tested positive for COVID-19.
“The governor of the state of Montana, in consultation with public health authorities, has strongly recommended limiting of all gatherings, specifically gatherings of more than 50 people," Sullivan said.
During a press call earlier Monday, Governor Steve Bullock said he had not ordered bars to close.
“We have to practice social distancing to keep people safe," he said.
Shortly after county health departments issued closure orders, Bullock sent a press release praising their leadership.
The CDC strongly recommends limiting crowd sizes to 50, keeping a 6-foot personal bubble and washing your hands frequently to the tune of Happy Birthday sung twice.
Sullivan in Silver Bow County said the types of businesses listed will be closed for one week, pending further notification.
Sullivan said hotels will stay open. Their bars and buffets will not. Justice and city court judges are asking people to call their offices to make appointments for court appearances. No jail visitation is allowed at this time.
Residents are also being asked to pay water utility bills online or in the mail. There will be no penalties for late payments.
Sullivan asked for non-essential meetings and large gatherings to be postponed.
Yellowstone County Health Officer John Felton released an order Monday closing all bars, breweries, wineries and casinos in the county starting Tuesday morning through Mar. 23.
Take-out and delivery services are still allowed.
Vital food services, like hospital or college cafeterias, are also exempt.
Felton said the sunset date for the closures may be sooner or later than currently announced, depending on the status of the virus in the county.
Monday afternoon the Missoula City-County Health Department also issued a week-long order closing bars and dine-in restaurant service starting 8 A.M. Tuesday, Mar. 17 through 8 A.M. Tuesday, Mar. 24.
Gallatin City-County Public Health Department ordered all bars, brew pubs, wineries, distilleries with public tasting rooms and casinos to close for two weeks effective Monday, Mar. 16 at 9 P.M.
Restaurants have been ordered to close dining room services during the same time period. Take-out and delivery services are allowed to operate.
Gallatin County will allow exceptions for certain food services, such a university-based dining facilities or cafeterias in hospital and care facilities.
The restrictions to not apply to grocery stores, deli counters within grocery stores, or convenience stores.
Other relatively urban counties without COVID-19 detections are holding off.
Cascade County City-County Health Department said it's sent 20 samples to the state lab, with all coming back negative.
Health Officer Trisha Gardner says she anticipates sending samples daily from healthcare providers to state and commercial labs, which recently came online.
"We will continue to monitor the situation closely and will carefully weight any decisions with the potential to create significant economic impact and disruption," she said via press release.
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