Friday, March 27, 2020

Today In Wyoming's History: March 26, 2020. The Governor of Montana issues a Stay At Home Order

Today In Wyoming's History: March 26:2020

2020  The Governor of Montana joined other Wyoming neighbors Idaho and
Colorado and issued a shelter in place order for his state.  The press
release on the order stated:
Governor Bullock Issues Stay at Home Directive to Slow the Spread of COVID-19
Directive asks Montanans to stay home to maximum extent possible except for
essential activities, temporarily restricts all nonessential businesses
and operations
MONTANA
– Governor Steve Bullock today issued a Directive requiring Montanans to stay home and temporarily closes all nonessential businesses and operations to curtail the spread of COVID-19. The order, which goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. on March 28, will buy time for health care workers on the front lines and seeks to limit long term impacts to the state’s economy.
“In consultation with public health experts, health care providers, and emergency management professionals, I have determined that to protect public health and human safety, it is essential, to the maximum extent possible, individuals stay at home or at their place of residence,” said Governor Bullock. “There’s no doubt that COVID-19 is causing a lot of hardship. It’s also causing incredible hardships for our front line doctors, nurses and other hospital staff across the country.”
The Directive will be in effect through Friday, April 10 and requires all businesses and operations in Montana, except for essential businesses and operations as defined in the directive, to stop all activities within the state.
The Directive also prohibits all public and private gatherings of any number of people occurring outside a household or place of residence.
“I am taking these measures today because we need to stay in front of this pandemic and slow the growth of infections. In order to have a healthy economy we need a healthy population. We cannot rebuild our economic strength without doing everything we can now to flatten the curve and slow the spread of this virus,” continued Governor Bullock.
Essential services and businesses will remain operational and open. Businesses deemed essential are required to comply with social distancing guidelines when possible including maintaining six feet of distance, having sanitizing products available, and designating hours of operation specifically for vulnerable populations.
Under the directive, Montanans may leave their homes for essential activities, including:
  • 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. 
  • 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 
  • For outdoor activity. To engage in outdoor activity, provided the  individuals comply with social distancing, as defined below, such as, by way of example and without limitation, walking, hiking, running, or  biking. Individuals may go to public parks and open outdoor recreation  areas, including public lands in Montana provided they remain open to  recreation. Montanans are discouraged from outdoor recreation activities that pose enhanced risks of injury or could otherwise stress the  ability of local first responders to address the COVID-19 emergency (e.g., backcountry skiing in a manner inconsistent with avalanche recommendations or in closed terrain).
  • For certain types of work. To perform work providing essential products and services at Essential Businesses or Operations or to otherwise carry  out activities specifically permitted in this Directive, including  Minimum Basic Operations. 
  • 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 as  allowed by this Directive.
The attached  Directive follows federal guidance to determine the businesses and
operations deemed essential, which are summarized in the Directive and  can also be found here: https://www.cisa.gov/publication/guidance-essential-critical-infrastructure-workforce [cisa.gov].
Businesses with questions can contact a dedicated state line at 1-800-755-6672 and
leave messages 24-hours a day and will receive a prompt response.

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