- Know before you go: Know the local public health guidelines before arriving at your destination.
- Stay home if you’re sick.
- Understand some services and destinations may be limited.
Governor Steve Bullock is asking visitors to do their part slow the spread of COVID-19 which means taking the same social distancing and sanitation precautions as Montanans.
The June 1 reopening of Montana’s tourism amenities and services will be gradual. It’s important to understand what is open and closed before arriving in the state. Tribal Nations in Montana have extended stay-at-home orders indefinitely and continue to exercise caution to protect their elders and other vulnerable populations from the spread of COVID-19. At this time, all tribal lands are closed to visitors. Refer to each tribal government website for real-time updates.
Travelers can expect the Montana National Guard to continue to conduct screenings in airports and train depots and refer anyone with COVID-19-related symptoms to local public health officials.
To support Montana’s destination communities, the state will assist with establishing the following protocols:
- Establish test centers and ensure adequate supplies are available to meet resident, seasonal employee, and visitor needs within Montana’s most visited destination communities.
- Coordinate a community snapshot testing plan to create an early warning system for potential community spread in the most highly visited and highly vulnerable destination communities.
- Develop contingency plans for managing sick visitors, including contact tracing capabilities.
The state will also develop an informational campaign to encourage visitors to learn local guidelines and restrictions before they visit, to stay at home if sick, and to convey that some services in destination communities will potentially be limited during this year’s tourism season.
- Phase 2 Effective Monday, June 1:
- Phase Two will allow places of assembly to become operational that did not open in Phase One beginning on June 1 as long as they can meet social distancing guidelines and limited capacity requirements.
- Group gatherings can increase from 10 to 50 people. Avoid gathering in groups of more than 50 people in circumstances that do not readily allow for appropriate physical distancing. Groups larger than 50 people should be cancelled unless physical distancing can be maintained.
- Capacity can increase from 50 percent to 75 percent.
- Concert halls, bowling alleys, and other places of assembly may operate with reduced capacity and if they adhere to strict physical distancing guidelines.
- Vulnerable Montanans should still continue to stay home when possible during Phase Two.
- Visitation at nursing home and assisted living facilities remains suspended except for certain compassionate care situations.
- Employers should continue to encourage telework wherever feasible
- The 14-day travel quarantine for out-of-state travelers and residents arriving from another state or country to Montana for non-work-related purposes will also be lifted on June 1