MT Gov. closes K-12 schools due to COVID-19 concerns
Announces other measures aimed to slow the rate of spread of the virus
March 15, 2020
3/15/2020: Montana Governor Steve Bullock has declared a state of emergency in Montana due to the global outbreak of COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. He announced new directives and guidance aimed to slow the spread of the virus. These include closing of public K-12 schools, social distancing measures, and limiting visitation at nursing home facilities.
Governor Bullock directed Montana’s public K-12 schools to close starting Monday, March 16 through March 27. During this time, schools will engage in planning to provide arrangements to provide free meals to students who need them, pursuant to a waiver obtained from the United States Department of Agriculture. Schools will continue to receive all state funding during this two-week closure. The state will work with schools during this period to evaluate and consider next steps as needed. The goal of all the measures is to slow the rate of spread of the virus in local community. To date, Montana has
To mitigate the impact of school closures on families, Governor Bullock encourages all employers to be generous with their employee sick and paid leave policies during this time.
Governor Bullock is strongly recommending that the public limits all gatherings, especially those more than 50 people, in every community across the state.
He is also recommending that individuals over the age of 60, or who have compromised health conditions, do not participate in gatherings of more than 20 people. He also recommends that parents should avoid placing children with grandparents or individuals over the age of 60 for child care.
Visitation in Montana’s nursing homes is suspended except for certain compassionate care situations. People who meet the exception for visitation will undergo a screening to determine whether they have traveled in the last two weeks, are residing where community spread is occurring, or if they have symptoms consistent with COVID-19.
Below is his entire media release:
TO: The People of the State of Montana; all officers and agencies of the State of Montana FROM: Governor Steve Bullock DATE: March 15, 2020
RE: Directive implementing Executive Orders 2-2020 and 3-2020 and providing for measures to combat the spread of COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus
Executive Orders 2-2020 and 3-2020 declare that a state of emergency exists in Montana due to the global outbreak of COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus.
In accordance with the authority vested in me under the Constitution, Article VI, Sections 4 and 13, and the laws of the State of Montana, Title 10, Chapter 3 and Title 50, Chapter 1, MCA, and other applicable provisions of the Constitution and Montana Law, I hereby direct the following measures be in place in the State of Montana effective immediately:
1. School Closure
• All non-residential public schools in Montana are closed through March 27, 2020.
• All eligible schools will continue to receive all state payments under the school funding formula, including per person ANB funding, as budgeted and appropriated by the Montana legislature.
• During this time, schools will engage in planning to provide:
- arrangements to provide free meals to students who need them, pursuant to a waiver obtained from the United States Department of Agriculture.
- all other matters and services that students need in the event of future or ongoing closure.
- The state will work with schools during this period and evaluate and announce next steps.
Authorities: Section 10-3-104, MCA; §§ 50-1-202, -203. -204, MCA; 37 A.G. Op. 132 (1978); Executive Orders 2-2020 and 3-2020; Montana Constitution, Art. VI, Sections 4 and 13; §§ 10-3103, -302, and -305, MCA; and all other applicable provisions of state and federal law.
2. Nursing Homes
• Visitation is suspended for all visitors and non-essential healthcare providers, except as for certain compassionate care situations (e.g., end of life).
• The State of Montana adopts the guidance and procedures provided by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in the March 13, 2020, memorandum entitled "Guidance for Infection Control and Prevention of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in
Nursing Homes (REVISED)" accessible at https://www.cms.gov/files/document/qso-20-14nh-revised.pdf and provided with this Directive. This specifically includes the "Additional Guidance" procedures provided on pages 3-4 (e.g., cancellation of group activities and active screening of staff and residents).
• For essential visitation (e.g., end of life) the following screening must occur:
- Signs or symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, or sore throat.
- In the last 14 days, contact with someone with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, under investigation for COVID-19, or ill with respiratory illness.
- International travel within the last 14 days to countries with sustained community transmission.
- Domestic travel in the last 14 days to areas with sustained community transmission.
- Residing in a community where community-based spread of COVID-19 is occurring.
Authorities: Section 10-3-104, MCA; Executive Orders 2-2020 and 3-2020; Montana Constitution, Art. VI, Sections 4 and 13; §§ 10-3-103, -302, and -305, MCA; §§ 50-1-202, -203. -204, MCA; and all other applicable provisions of state and federal law.
3. Public Guidance Regarding Social Distancing The Governor, in consultation with public health authorities, strongly recommends the following guidance:
• Limiting all gatherings, especially those gatherings of more than 50 people.
- Organizers should refrain from planning new gatherings and cancel existing gatherings. - Individuals should refrain from attending.
• Persons age 60 or older should not participate in any gatherings, especially those gatherings of more than 20 people.
• Persons who are immunocompromised or with chronic health conditions should not participate in any gatherings, especially those over 20 people.
• Parents should avoid, if possible, placing children for childcare with grandparents, family members, friends, or providers over the age of 60 or immunocompromised persons.
4. Transportation
• The limited waivers on motor carriers provided in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Emergency Declaration No. 2020-002 are adopted and in effect in Montana and run concurrent to the federal declaration and its limitations, which increases the legal weight limits by 10 percent for commercial vehicles to provide supplies to help support response to the emergency.
• The FMCSA declaration is accessible here
Authorities: Section 10-3-104, MCA; § 61-10-111, MCA; Executive Orders 2-2020 and 3-2020; Montana Constitution, Art. VI, Section 4; and all other applicable provisions of state and federal law.
5. National Guard Resources
• As provided in the March 14, 2020, Directive implementing Executive Orders 2-2020 and 32020, the resources and operational capabilities of the Montana National Guard are available to respond as necessary and at the Governor’s direction. The Adjutant General is authorized to place members of the Montana National Guard on State Active Duty status.
Authorities: Sections 10-3-104 and -305, MCA; Executive Orders 2-2020 and 3-2020; Montana Constitution, Art. VI, Sections 4 and 13; §§ 10-3-103 and -302, MCA; and all other applicable provisions of state and federal law.
5. Limitations
• This Directive is effective immediately and expires at the end of the declared state of emergency in Executive Orders 2-2020 and 3-2020.
• This Directive shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
• This Directive is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the state of Montana, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
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