MISSOULA — Local officials hosted a press conference on Wednesday to provide an opportunity for business owners, elected officials, and the Missoula City-County Health Department to discuss the timing of businesses reopening, the protective measures used by businesses, and how the community can help.
Gov. Steve Bullock announced on April 22 a phased re-opening plan for Montana. Many retail businesses are up and running with restaurants, bars, casinos, and breweries becoming operational again on May 5.
Watch the full press conference below.
Saying the city needed more time to prepare for a phased reopening and still lacked testing materials, the Missoula City-County Health Department on April 24 implemented guidelines more stringent than those issued by Gov. Bullock. Click here to view the full order from the Missoula City-County Health Department.
One of the items discussed during Wednesday's news conference was when salons and barbershops may be allowed to open up again -- something allowed under Gov. Bullock's plan but not allowed under the more stringent Missoula County rules. Those restrictions are expected to be reexamined on Friday.
There are still 41 reported COVID-19 cases in Missoula County as of Wednesday which remains unchanged since April 22. One COVID-19 related death has been reported. Local health officials say that 40 people have now recovered and there are currently no active COVID-19 cases in isolation.
Grant Kier from the Missoula Economic Partnership, Missoula County Commissioner Josh Slotnick, Missoula Mayor John Engen, Cindy Farr, the Incident Commander from the Missoula City-County Health Department, Shannon Therriault, the Missoula City-County Health Department Environmental Health Director, Aimee McQuilkin of Betty’s Devine and Charlie Beaton of Big Dipper all took part in Wednesday's event.