Whitefish asks citizens to help prevent spread of COVID-19, also extends ban on lodging stays

Whitefish has extended its ban on non-essential stays at hotels and short-term rentals through May 10, and is asking residents to stay vigilant in preventing the spread of COVID-19.

City Manager Dana Smith on Thursday authorized an extension of the emergency ordinance prohibiting stays at lodging establishments that had been set to expire on April 30. Council will consider any extensions of the ordinance at its next meeting on May 4 at 6 p.m.

Council on April 5 passed an emergency ordinance prohibiting reservations and walk-ins for non-essential purposes through the month of April amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We acknowledge and our empathetic to the financial burden our lodging owners are bearing, but we also know the fallout that could happen if the message that Montana is reopening is misunderstood,” Smith said. “And people choose to travel here bringing the virus with them unknowingly.”

Gov. Steve Bullock on Wednesday issued a plan for a gradual reopening of the state by lifting the stay-at-home order Sunday related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The phased plan lifts the order that first went into place on March 28.

Under the plan, retail businesses can reopen on April 27, but must adhere to requirements to limit capacity and maintaining physical distancing. Restaurants, bars, breweries and distilleries can reopen on May 4 with restrictions on services. Schools have the option to reopen on May 7.

The measure leaves in place a 14-day travel quarantine for people who visit from out-of-state.

Mayor John Muhlfeld said while the governor’s announcement means some relief, it’s still not the time to celebrate, but rather it’s important to continue measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 such as staying 6-feet apart from others, frequently washing hands and remaining home if feeling sick.

“While we love parades, it’s not the time to have one,” he said. “In fact, I ask the citizens of Whitefish to become even more vigilant and not let your guard down so we can continue the phased reopening and not see a spike in new COVID-19 cases.”

The Flathead City-County Health Department has issued a guide for businesses in regard to COVID-19 amid the phased reopening. The guide is available on its website at https://flatheadhealth.org/

It includes recommendations such as spacing out lines for customers and rearrange merchandise to allow adequate space between customers, and also limiting the number of people entering an establishment at one time. For seating in restaurants it says to remove tables and eliminate waiting areas.

It also notes that the U.S. Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention recommends wearing cloth face coverings while in public and frequent hand washing or use of hand sanitizer.

The city ordinance regarding lodging, prohibits stays at such facilities except for “essential purposes including government, health care, law enforcement, domestic violence victims, personnel responding to the COVID-19 emergency, essential workers as defined by federal and state guidance, family members of those seeking medical treatment, and those individuals that have a medical recommendation to quarantine outside their home.”

Violation of the ordinance may result in the revocation of the business license issued by the city for the facility.

City Hall remains closed at least through May 1.

City officials say they are working on a phased plan to reopen city facilities including parks that are closed.

For more information, visit http://www.cityofwhitefish.org/