Bullock directive requires masks in most public places

Montana Gov. Steve Bullock Wednesday announced immediately that people will be required to wear masks in public buildings, stores and even outside where 50 or more people are gathered and they can’t keep safe social distance from each other.

“No shirt, no shoes, no mask, no service,” he said. “It’s that simple.”

The directive is aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19. Counties with three or less active cases would be exempt from the directive.

In a press conference Bullock noted that the state went from 55 active cases to more than 1,000 in the past month.

“Unfortunately, it’s clear we need to do more,” to stop the spread of the virus, Bullock noted.

Many counties are showing evidence of community spread, particularly in Yellowstone and Gallatin counties.

Even counties with low numbers are strongly encouraged to wear masks.

The directive falls in line with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation that people wear cloth face coverings in public and when around people outside one’s household.

Law enforcement and public health officials can enforce the order, but Bullock said the emphasis will be on education, rather than citations. The order includes visitors to the state. Having said that, businesses can deny entry, refuse service or ask any person to leave if they refuse to wear a face covering. If necessary, they may rely on peace officers to enforce the state’s trespassing laws if a person refuses to wear a face covering and refuses to leave the premises.

The directive does not require face coverings for children under age 5, though face coverings are strongly encouraged in both cases. Other exceptions include children under 2, while eating or drinking at businesses that sell food or drinks, during activities that make face coverings unsafe (like strenuous physical exercise or swimming), while giving speeches or performances in front of a socially distanced audience, while receiving medical care or for people with a preexisting condition that would make wearing a face covering unsafe, Bullock noted.

There’s also problems with the state surveillance testing. Quest Diagnostics, the private company that was doing the tests is overwhelmed from tests from other states and now won’t be able to do Montana’s testing for two to three weeks.

Bullock said the state is actively looking for other sources.

The governor also spoke to the constitutional aspect of masks — some people argue that they have the constitutional right to not wear a mask and if they get sick, so be it.

“They don’t have a constitutional right to get other people sick,” Bullock said.