Guidance updated April 23, 2020 at 11:22 a.m.

The State of Montana prioritizes the health and safety of our citizens and visitors. We are closely monitoring the impacts of coronavirus or COVID-19, and are updating this page as needed with new information. 

TRAVEL 

For the latest updates from Governor Bullock's Coronavirus Task Force, visit COVID19.MT.GOV.

The CDC recommends older adults or people of any age with serious chronic medical conditions who are at risk for disease, should consider postponing nonessential travel. The State Department has advised that U.S. citizens abroad should return home unless staying for an indefinite period and that international travel should be avoided. Governor Bullock is advising that Montana citizens who have traveled internationally self-quarantine for 14 days and contact their local health department. 

As of April 22, Governor Bullock has issued a Directive, that outlines the plans for the phased reopening of Montana. The current stay-at-home order has been extended for individuals until Sunday, April 26 and for non-essential businesses until Monday, April 27 (excluding bar and restaurant closures, which are extended to May 4).

The March 30 Directive that stated travelers arriving from another state or country to Montana for non-work-related purposes undergo a 14-day self-quarantine has been extended through the end of the emergency. For travelers arriving at any Montana airport and rail station, temperature checks and screenings for potential exposure history may be conducted by the Montana National Guard to further protect against the spread of COVID-19. For the full Directive, click here. 

For the latest travel alerts, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html

STAY INFORMED

This is a rapidly changing public health situation and it’s important to stay informed by following reputable sources such as the Centers for Disease Control and the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.

The best way to prevent infection from COVID-19 and any respiratory virus is to avoid being exposed to the virus. The same preventative measures that are recommended during cold and flu season will also help to protect against coronavirus:

• Wash your hands thoroughly and often for at least 20 seconds using soap and water.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Cover your cough/sneeze with a tissue (or your elbow).
• Stay home if you are sick.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

If you have travelled to any destination during the past 14 days:

• Monitor your health and practice social distancing. Social distancing means staying out of crowded places, avoiding group gatherings, and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet or 2 meters) from others when possible.
• If you get sick with fever (100.4°F/38°C or higher), cough, or have trouble breathing:
  • Seek medical advice. Call ahead before going to a doctor’s office or emergency room.
  • Tell your doctor about your recent travel and your symptoms.
  • Avoid contact with others.
• Do not travel while sick.

We urge the traveling public to stay informed, seek information from reputable sources, and take preventative measures like washing your hands to protect against COVID-19.

EVENTS

The Centers for Disease Control recommends that public gatherings are limited to fewer than 50 people for the next eight weeks.

Governor Bullock announced on March 25 that effective immediately, non-essential social and recreational gatherings of individuals outside of a home or place of residence of greater than ten people are prohibited, if a distance of at least six feet between individuals cannot be maintained. This measure is consistent with actions taken in other states to slow the spread of COVID-19.

TEMPORARY BUSINESS DIRECTIVE

Governor Steve Bullock’s initial directive to close dine-in food service and alcoholic beverage businesses and other activities that pose enhanced health risks, effective until 11:59 p.m. on April 24, 2020 has been extended. The April 22 Directive outlines the plan to begin phased reopening of Montana. Find the details below:

• 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. Places of worship should avoid gathering in groups of more than 10 people in circumstances that do not readily allow for appropriate physical distancing.
• Effective Monday, April 27:
  • Main Street and retail businesses can become operational with reduced capacity and where strict physical distancing protocols can be maintained.
  • 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.
• Effective immediately through the end of the emergency:
  • 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).

The places subject to this directive are permitted and encouraged to offer food and beverage using delivery service, window service, walk-up service, drive-through service, or drive-up service, and to use precautions in doing so to mitigate the potential transmission of COVID-19, including social distancing.

COORDINATED RESPONSE

The Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development at the Department of Commerce is coordinating closely with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services and Disaster and Emergency Services.

Governor Steve Bullock has assembled a multi-agency task force, including the Department of Commerce, to ensure Montana is prepared to address a local COVID-19 outbreak.

RESOURCES

If you are a business owner and have questions related to the April 22 announcement detailing the phased approach to reopening and how the plan applies to you directly, please call 1-800-755-6672. The plan has been posted online at covid19.mt.gov.

For all other questions related to COVID-19 call 1-888-333-0461 or visit COVID19.MT.GOV.

Visit Montana: VISITMT.COM or 1-800-847-4868

Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services: https://dphhs.mt.gov/publichealth/cdepi/diseases/coronavirusmt

Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services Hotline: 1-888-333-0461 or COVID19info@mt.gov 

Montana Coronavirus task force: COVID19@MT.GOV

Montana Disaster and Emergency Services on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html