COVID-19 community impact

Local health officials directed the closure of Ekalaka businesses last week as another aggressive step to curtail the spread of COVID-19. The move came prior to a state mandate from Gov. Steve Bullock last Friday that directed all bars and restaurants, gyms, theaters and casinos to close.

"Both young and older Montanans, in urban and rural communities, have tested positive for coronavirus, making it even more clear that this virus impacts us all and that these actions are imperative to protecting our friends and neighbors," Bullock said in a statement.

The directive requires all restaurants to...