COVID-19 updates

As of April 28th, Carter County had zero cases of COVID-19, and Montana had 451 cases; of those cases, 356 have recovered.

On April 22nd, Governor Bullock held a press conference that laid out plans to reopen Montana. Carter County Board of Health held a meeting on April 24th and decided that Carter County will follow the Governor's directions for reopening.

Phase one of reopening began on April 26th, with churches having services. Retail stores reopened on April 27th, and bars and restaurants will be able to reopen on May 4th. However, each organization has restrictions they are to follow during phase one.

During phase one of the reopening, vulnerable individuals are recommended to continue to stay at home as much as possible. Vulnerable individuals include those over 65 years of age, people with severe underlying health conditions, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, obesity, or high blood pressure, or those with a compromised immune system.

Governor Bullock does also recommended that Montana citizens continue to minimize non-essential travel. When in public, people should continue to use hand sanitizer frequently, avoid touching their face, sneeze or cough into a tissue or the crook of their elbow and consider using a cloth face covering, especially when unable to allow for appropriate physical distancing. When in public, individuals should also maintain at least six feet of distance from others and avoid gathering in groups of more than ten people if unable to keep six feet apart.

Bullock's directive on travel restriction is still in place; any person coming to Montana from another state or country for a non-work-related purpose must immediately self-quarantine for 14 days or the length of stay (if less than 14 days). However, when Montanans need to travel to another state for essential needs and services, they do not have to quarantine when they return to their home but are asked to follow good hygiene guidelines and maintain a social distance.

Essential needs and essential services include (obtained from Governor Bullock's Stay at Home Directive):

1. For health and safety: To engage in activities or perform tasks essential to their health and safety, or to the health and safety of their family or household members (including, but not limited to, pets), such as, by way of example only and without limitation, seeking emergency services, obtaining medical supplies or medication, or visiting a health care professional.

2. For necessary supplies and services: To obtain necessary services or supplies for themselves and their family or household members, or to deliver those services or supplies to others, such as, by way of example only and without limitation, groceries and food, household consumer products, supplies they need to work from home, and products necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences.

3. For certain types of work: To perform work providing essential products and services at Essential Businesses or Operations or to otherwise carry out activities

4. To take care of others: To care for a family member, friend, or pet in another household, and to transport family members, friends, or pets

Please call Carter County Public Health, at 406-775-6332, for any questions or clarifications on directives or COVID-19.