Guidance updated May 11, 2020 at 4:22 p.m.

The State of Montana prioritizes the health and safety of our citizens and visitors. We are closely monitoring the impacts of coronavirus or COVID-19 and are updating this page as-needed with new information. 

TRAVEL 

All non-work-related travelers arriving to Montana from out-of-state or country must self-quarantine for 14 days or the duration of your stay in Montana. This applies to residents and non-residents of Montana.

If you are quarantining (e.g. have come from or traveled out-of-state) you cannot leave for groceries, public outdoor recreation (including hunting/fishing), to go to work or any other activity. You must remain at your place of quarantine for the duration of the quarantine period (14 days). Exceptions will only be made in the event of a medical emergency, fire, natural disaster or other act of God preventing the ongoing healthful habitation of a residence.

Travel should be limited to essential only. This includes:

• Any travel related to the provision of or access to Essential Activities, Essential Businesses and Operations, or Minimum Basic Operations.
• Travel to care for elderly, minors, dependents, persons with disabilities, or other vulnerable persons.
• Travel to or from educational institutions for purposes of receiving materials for distance learning, for receiving meals, and any other related services.
• Travel to return to a place of residence from outside the jurisdiction.
• Travel required by law enforcement or court order, including to transport children pursuant to a custody agreement.
• Travel required for non-residents to return to their place of residence outside the State.
• Individuals are strongly encouraged to verify that their transportation out of the State remains available and functional prior to commencing such travel.

For travelers arriving at any Montana airport and rail station, temperature checks and screenings for potential exposure history may be conducted by the Montana National Guard to further protect against the spread of COVID-19. For the full Directive, click here. 

For the latest travel alerts, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html. 

For the latest updates from Governor Bullock's Coronavirus Task Force, visit COVID19.MT.GOV.

STAY INFORMED

This is a rapidly changing public health situation and it’s important to stay informed by following reputable sources such as the Centers for Disease Control and the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.

The best way to prevent infection from COVID-19 and any respiratory virus is to avoid being exposed to the virus. The same preventative measures that are recommended during cold and flu season will also help to protect against coronavirus:

• Wash your hands thoroughly and often for at least 20 seconds using soap and water.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Cover your cough/sneeze with a tissue (or your elbow).
• Stay home if you are sick.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

If you have travelled to any destination during the past 14 days:

• Monitor your health and practice social distancing. Social distancing means staying out of crowded places, avoiding group gatherings, and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet or 2 meters) from others when possible.
• If you get sick with fever (100.4°F/38°C or higher), cough, or have trouble breathing:
  • Seek medical advice. Call ahead before going to a doctor’s office or emergency room.
  • Tell your doctor about your recent travel and your symptoms.
  • Avoid contact with others.
• Do not travel while sick.

We urge the traveling public to stay informed, seek information from reputable sources, and take preventative measures like washing your hands to protect against COVID-19.

EVENTS

Governor Bullock announced on March 25 that effective immediately, non-essential social and recreational gatherings of individuals outside of a home or place of residence of greater than ten people are prohibited, if a distance of at least six feet between individuals cannot be maintained. This measure is consistent with actions taken in other states to slow the spread of COVID-19.

TEMPORARY BUSINESS DIRECTIVE

Governor Steve Bullock has initiated a phased approach to reopening Montana. An April 22 Directive outlines the plan to begin phased reopening of Montana. Find the details below:

• Effective Sunday, April 26:
  • Places of worship can become operational with reduced capacity and where strict physical distancing protocols can be maintained between non-household members. Places of worship should avoid gathering in groups of more than 10 people in circumstances that do not readily allow for appropriate physical distancing.
• Effective Monday, April 27:
  • Main Street and retail businesses can become operational with reduced capacity and where strict physical distancing protocols can be maintained.
  • Outdoor recreation can become operational if sites adhere to strict physical distancing between groups and exercise frequent sanitation protocols if public facilities are open.
• Effective Monday, May 4:
  • Restaurants, bars, breweries, distilleries, and casinos can become operational on or after May 4, 2020 under strict physical distancing and reduced capacity.
• Effective Friday, May 15:
  • Gyms and fitness studios contribute to the health and wellness for many Montanans. As such, and in recognition of the continued progress toward recovery that Montana has made, beginning Friday, May 15, 2020 they will be allowed to operate at 50% capacity with sanitization and social distancing requirements met.
  • Museums and theaters may operate at 50% capacity with sanitization and social distancing requirements met.
• Effective immediately through the end of the emergency:
  • Pools and hot tubs that are not part of licensed accommodation facilities (such as gyms or hotels) remain closed.
  • Other places of assembly remain closed (e.g., bowling alleys, bingo halls, and music halls).

The places subject to this directive are permitted and 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 in doing so to mitigate the potential transmission of COVID-19, including social distancing.

COORDINATED RESPONSE

The Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development at the Department of Commerce is coordinating closely with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services and Disaster and Emergency Services.

Governor Steve Bullock has assembled a multi-agency task force, including the Department of Commerce, to ensure Montana is prepared to address a local COVID-19 outbreak.

RESOURCES

If you are a business owner and have questions related to the April 22 announcement detailing the phased approach to reopening and how the plan applies to you directly, please call 1-800-755-6672. The plan has been posted online at COVID19.MT.GOV.

For all other questions related to COVID-19 call 1-888-333-0461 or visit COVID19.MT.GOV.

Visit Montana: VISITMT.COM or 1-800-847-4868

Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services: https://dphhs.mt.gov/publichealth/cdepi/diseases/coronavirusmt

Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services Hotline: 1-888-333-0461 or COVID19info@mt.gov 

Montana Coronavirus task force: COVID19@MT.GOV

Montana Disaster and Emergency Services on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html