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The latest news about the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 in Montana.

Governor Keeps State Employees Masked

Montana's state employees are still required to wear a mask when working with the public or coworkers. Gov. Greg Gianforte has continued the requirement for state workers following his repeal of the public-aimed statewide mask mandate last week.

In an email to state employees on Feb. 12, Montana Department of Administration Director Misty Ann Giles announced state employees must continue wearing masks while interfacing with the public or while in common areas of State-owned or -leased buildings. Visitors and contractors in State offices must also continue to wear masks. 

The Gianforte administration sent the notifying email on the same day that Gianforte announced his repeal of the general public's state mask mandate.

In an emailed statement to MTPR, a spokesperson with Gianforte’s office wrote,"As the state’s chief executive, Gov. Gianforte is leading by example by continuing the best practices below to protect the health and safety of state workers and visitors."

In the email to state employees, the Gianforte administration encouraged employees to work remotely if possible. It also told state offices to hold off on drafting return-to-work plans: “A plan will be shared to provide guidance on effectively returning to work when deemed safe by the administration."

Aaron graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Journalism in 2015 after interning at Minnesota Public Radio. He landed his first reporting gig in Wrangell, Alaska where he enjoyed the remote Alaskan lifestyle and eventually moved back to the road system as the KBBI News Director in Homer, Alaska. He joined the MTPR team in 2019. Aaron now reports on all things in northwest Montana and statewide health care.
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