Today, Governor Steve Bullock issued a directive that will require face coverings in certain indoor spaces and for certain organized outdoor activities in counties that currently have four or more active cases of COVID-19. This has been set in place in order to attempt to slow the spread of the virus in Montana.
Under this directive, businesses, government offices, and other indoor spaces which are open to the public are to require that employees, contractors, volunteers, customers, and other member of the public to wear a face mask or covering that covers their mouth and nose. Along with this, masks and coverings will be required in any outdoor activities of fifty or more people where social distancing is not possible or is not being observed.
“Many Montanans answered the call to mask-up,” stated Governor Bullock, “a call that came from our hospitals, nurses, and doctors, our vibrant small business community, our frontline workers, and our high-risk neighbors. I thank all of those who take seriously their personal responsibility and their role in stopping COVID-19. But we need even more Montanans, and the visitors who come here, to mask up.”
This directive is in line with the CDC’s recommendation that people wear cloth face coverings in public and when around people outside one’s household. Along with this, the CDC released a study this week that concluded that “mandating the use of face coverings” in a salon in Missouri likely mitigated the spread of COVID-19 and recommended consideration of broader policies requiring face coverings. Within the previous month alone, Montana’s active cases of COVID-19 have risen from 55 to more than 1,000.
“There’s no reason this needs to be political,” added Governor Bullock, “because COVID-19 isn’t political. Instead, this is about being a Montanan and being supportive of those around us. Montanans need to not only feel safe, but be safe to continue supporting small businesses like restaurants, breweries, clothing stores, bookshops, and more. And Montanans need to be healthy to work. Mom and pop shops in Montana often have two employees: Mom and Pop themselves. If they get COVID-19, they can’t keep their business running.”
During this new directive, counties that have three or fewer active cases are not required to wear masks. Along with this, children under five years old are not required, but are strongly encouraged. Further exceptions include children under two years old, people who are eating or drinking at businesses that sell food or drinks, during activities that make face coverings unsafe such as strenuous physical exercise or swimming, while giving speeches or performances in front of an audience who is appropriately distanced according the CDC’s guidelines, while receiving medical care or for people who have a preexisting condition that would make wearing a mask or face covering unsafe.
Under the new directive, businesses, government offices, and other spaces that operate publicly will provide face coverings for employees and volunteers. Along with this, they will post signs stating that face coverings are required for people who are five-years-old or older. Furthermore, businesses and other indoor spaces that are open to the public and sponsors of organized outdoor activities reserve the right to deny service or entry to any person who refuses to wear a mask. They may also ask the person to leave the facility. If necessary, they may even rely on peace officers to help enforce the mandate.
The local public health agencies and law enforcement should focus their imposition of this directive on education, providing warnings and education about the risk of transmission, while reserving the enforcement of penalties, trespass enforcement, and other formal enforcement mechanisms for only the most flagrant of repeat violations that are putting the public at risk.
The directive goes into effect immediately and expires at the end of the declared statewide state of emergency.
