Governor closes dine-in food service, bars, gyms statewide due to virus

HELENA – Gov. Steve Bullock issued a statewide order Friday closing dine-in food service, alcoholic beverage establishments, gyms, theaters and other businesses that he said posed enhanced health risks during to the coronavirus.

This order expires at 11:59 p.m. on March 27, the same day that school closures are set to expire, though the date will likely be extended, state officials said. Bullock said he made it a one-week order to coincide and have uniformity with an earlier decision to close schools until March 27.

“We face extraordinary health risks – and with it even further risks to our economic and social well-being – if we do not act now," he said in an email. "I do not take this decision lightly and it was done so in consultation with public health professionals. Montanans, too, need to take this seriously. It’s up to all of us to stop the spread of this virus.”

"It really is up to all of us to prevent the spread of this virus and the sacrifices that we make now will help mitigate future action required to keep as many people safe as possible," he told reporters during a during a telephone news conference.

Bullock then announced two new coronavirus cases confirmed so far on Friday: a woman in her 50s from Madison County and a man from Lewis and Clark County in his 30s.

He said the state lab was still running tests. He added that none of the cases were hospitalized. Prior to Friday's announcement, the state had 15 cases of the respiratory illness confirmed. Later in the day the state said there were 20 confirmed cases.

Bullock also said he had extended the state's tax filing deadline from April 15 to July 15, the same as the extension of the federal tax deadline. He said the move was to give taxpayers some "breathing room and not having to worry about interest or penalties" in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis.

The governor told reporters that this weekend the state would be reducing its emergency stockpile of hospital personal protective equipment (PPE) and about 16,000 masks from the Strategic National Stockpile. Masks will be distributed to hospitals and emergency medical responders statewide.

Bullock said it has been a week since a confirmed case of coronavirus for Montana. There was no doubt Montana communities seem much different than they did just one week ago, he said, adding some people need help.

"Montanans are stepping up to the plate to provide that assistance," he said, later adding "together we are going to make it through all this."

Bullock said he was heartened by some stories coming from throughout the state, such as a distillery that has been converted to provide sanitizers for first responders and the tavern owner who told employees he would pay for their next eight weeks' wages even if the business was still closed.

Some counties, such as Cascade County, already had shut down bars, restaurants and other venues in recent days, prior to the governor's order. It only affects dine-in service and restaurants are able to operate for takeout and delivery.

The following places are closed to the public:

Restaurants, food courts, cafes, coffeehouses, and other similar establishments offering food or beverage for on-premises consumption.

Alcoholic beverage service businesses, including bars, taverns, brew pubs, breweries, microbreweries, distilleries, wineries, tasting rooms, special licensees, clubs, and other establishments offering alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption.

Cigar bars.

Health clubs, health spas, gyms, aquatic centers, pools and hot springs, indoor facilities at ski areas, climbing gyms, fitness studios, and indoor recreational facilities.

Movie and performance theaters, nightclubs, concert halls, bowling alleys, bingo halls, and music halls.

Casinos.

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The businesses are 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.

Four more cases of coronavirus were confirmed Thursday in Montana – three in Yellowstone County and one in Roosevelt County. The cases involved a Yellowstone County woman in her 20s and two Yellowstone men in their 20s and a Roosevelt County woman in her 70s, who had traveled internationally..

The tests, conducted by the Department of Public Health and Human Services Public Health Laboratory.

Missoula and Gallatin counties now have four cases each. Yellowstone County now has five. The other cases are Butte-Silver Bow, Broadwater and Roosevelt counties. One of the cases is a New Hampshire man being treated in Montana.

The patients will be isolated or quarantined pursuant to public health guidelines, state officials said. Those who came into close contact with the men will be monitored for 14 days for fever and respiratory symptoms in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. In older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness.

Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, is a respiratory illness. The vast majority of people recover from the new virus. There is no vaccine.

The state DPHHS Public Health Laboratory had tested 947 people for coronavirus by Thursday evening and 931 tested negative, state officials said. A 16th case is a part-time Montana resident with no documented exposures or close contacts in Montana, and was not tested in Montana.

The governor's staff has been updating the numbers daily at http://bit.ly/2VNn61z.

Earlier in the day, Bullock issued an advisory for Montanans who have traveled internationally to self-quarantine for 14 days after returning to Montana. Bullock said Montana residents who have traveled internationally self-quarantine for 14 days and contact their local health department.

The state has launched a phone line at 1-888-333-0461 and Montanans can also email questions to covid19info@mt.gov. A website has also been set up at COVID19.mt.gov. People can also go to www.dphhs.mt.gov for the most updated health information.

The governor declared a state of emergency March 12, which he said allows him to mobilize state resources.

On Sunday Bullock closed public schools until March 27, which he said would give schools time to plan for all the services students need such as meals. And he restricted visits to nursing homes to protect a vulnerable population.

In other news Thursday, Montana public school students won't have to automatically make up class time lost to the coronavirus, Bullock said.

A directive issued by the Democratic governor waives pupil instruction requirements through March 27 and says local districts will continue receiving state money through the same period.

If the closures extend longer, to continue receiving funding and waive class time requirements, districts will have to show they're making up for lost time through remote learning, such as online teaching.

Waivers of class time will be subject to a final decision by Bullock, the Associated Press reported, but his approval will be presumed if local school boards have an approved education plan that includes remote learning, according to the directive.

The plans must also include provisions for providing student meals and services for students with disabilities.

Also, Department of Public Health and Human Services Director Sheila Hogan said some agency offices with services that require face-to-face interaction with clients and staff will be closed beginning Friday until further notice due to coronavirus concerns.

It's a move that Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) officials say could impact hundreds of thousands of Montanans.

These closures will impact the Offices of Public Assistance, Child and Family Services, Vocational Rehabilitation, Vital Statistics, Women, Infants and Children, Child Support Enforcement and the Developmental Disabilities Program, DPHHS officials said.

Hogan said the agency has the technology infrastructure in place to continue serving clients. She said walk-in traffic will be moved to a call line and people could also make contact through emails.

For more on their plan on how they will provide services, go to: https://bit.ly/3a2CriV.

The state has launched a phone line at 1-888-333-0461 and Montanans can also email questions to covid19info@mt.gov. A website has also been set up at COVID19.mt.gov. People can also go to www.dphhs.mt.gov for the most updated health information.

The Associated Press contributed to this story. Reporter Phil Drake is our eye on the state capitol. For tips, suggestions or comment, he can be reached at 406-231-9021 or pdrake@greatfallstribune.com.