Beginning June 1, Montana can move into Phase Two of Governor Steve Bullock’s Reopening of businesses and activities after having been shutdown for over ten weeks. Gov. Bullock announced the parameters of the next phase of allowable activity of Montana citizens on Tuesday, which includes lifting the travel ban. He said implementing the next phase has been made possible by Montana citizens adhering to the social distancing and hygiene requirements aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19 virus.
Montana continues to have the lowest number of positive COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations per capita. As of Tuesday, Montana has had a total of 471 cases with 437 recoveries, 16 deaths and 18 active cases, including 5 hospitalizations. Until the report of seven new cases in Ravalli County on Monday, the number of new cases in the state each day has fluctuated between 0 and 2 for over a month. The Ravalli cases were characterized as a “cluster outbreak” and related to travel. Many of the more recent outbreaks have been associated with instances of travel. Montana reached the peak of daily cases on March 26, when 35 cases were identified.
The number of cases being tested daily has doubled over the past couple of weeks, approaching almost 800 daily. A total of 5,600 tests were conducted last week.
Under Phase Two, announced Gov. Bullock, businesses like restaurants, bars and casinos may increase capacity to 75 percent, an increase from 50 percent allowed under the first phase.
Group gatherings of up to 50 are permissible, with the encouragement to continue to adhere to the requirements for social distancing and heightened cleanliness. Businesses such as bowling alleys and concert halls, etc. may open if physical distancing is possible.
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