MISSOULA — Tighter COVID-19 restrictions are coming to Missoula County, officials announced during a Tuesday afternoon news conference.
Missoula Mayor John Engen opened the meeting by stating that new COVID-19 guidelines will be going into effect on Thursday. "If we make progress" then the new restrictions can be eased, he said.
Missoula County Commissioner Josh Slotnick noted, “We are doing this right now so we can slow what otherwise would be an unstoppable spread." The case numbers have become too high, making contact tracing increasingly difficult, Slotnick said.
Both Engen and Slotnick noted that the tighter restrictions are being instituted to help keep schools and hospitals open as well as to protect the most vulnerable populations.
Missoula Health Officer Ellen Leahy did note that "we have been doing well on a lot of things." She added tighter restrictions will be put in place, but it will not be a lockdown.
The new restrictions will take effect at 8 a.m. on October 29 and will be reassessed on November 12, according to Leahy.
Business capacity will be limited to 50%; group sizes will be reduced to 25; alcohol service at bars will end at 10 p.m.; and people will be asked to stay at home voluntarily.
Organizers of any group gathering of more than 25 people will need to check with the Missoula City-County Health Department prior to the planned gathering.
Seating at tables in restaurants and bars will be limited to eight people.
Click here to see the complete list of restrictions (PDF).
The average number of COVID-19 cases will need to fall to 25 for a seven-day period before the new rules can be loosened.
The heads of both Missoula hospitals are asking the public for its help in curbing the COVID-19 surge as its impacting their workers.