Bullock plans to extend stay-at-home order, other directives, beyond April 10

HELENA – Gov. Steve Bullock said Friday he plans to extend his stay-at-home order beyond the April 10 deadline, perhaps at least for two weeks, and announced measures to help families facing hunger issues in dealing with the coronavirus.

He said he wanted to give residents an early heads up about the order that has been in effect since March 28, saying "it will not be expiring next Friday." He said several of the other directives he has has issued will be extended beyond April 10 as well.

Bullock made the announcement three weeks to the day he reported Montana had its first four confirmed cases of the coronavirus. As of Friday, there are 262 confirmed cases and five deaths.

He said he would make an announcement early next week, but wanted to talk with public health officials and others. 

“Life in Montana certainly isn’t the same as it was just a month ago,” he said. “And these are unprecedented times that require us to make important and significant sacrifices.”

He said the orders challenge the state’s uniquely independent way of life, but that the  entrepreneurial spirit continues to thrive with residents making 3D masks to help medical personnel and hand sanitizer.

Bullock issued the  “stay-at-home” order on March 26, keeping residents indoors with limited travel allowed for essential trips such as picking up groceries or seeking medical care.

Bullock said he has been trying to keep all the state directives in two-week periods and expected to extend the stay-at-home order until April 24.

He said was not prepared at this time to take action such as Virginia, to extend it until early June.

"I, like everybody else in Montana, would love to get back to a sense of normalcy as soon as possible," he said. “I said to someone, I think, like most Montanans, ‘I am over this.’ I wish the virus was, but the virus isn’t over this.”

On Friday he said he would be taking measures to double the food supply from the federal government to help families struggling with hunger during the crisis.

"No Montanan should have to worry about putting food on the table for themselves and their families, especially during a global pandemic," he said. 

Bullock said they would join with food banks, emergency food programs, tribal partners and senior centers. He said Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits would be automatically renewed, which is expected to help nearly 100,000 people.

Bullock said he is using new flexibility through the the federal government's $2.2 trillion CARES  (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security) Act to let SNAP participants in Montana to keep receiving aid for one year and to waive the three-month time-limit.

Montanans who receive food assistance from SNAP can check their balance online anytime by opening an account at apply.mt.gov. Clients can also check their benefits by calling 1-866-850-1556.

The state will make Women, Infants and Children (WIC) services over the phone. Local clinics can be found at www.signupwic.com. More information may be found at www.wic.mt.gov or by calling 1-800-433-4298.

"These are best steps forward to ensure food security for thousands of families during these challenging times," he said.

The governor has issued several directives since due to the coronavirus.

On March 15, Bullock originally closed public schools and he restricted visits to nursing homes to protect a vulnerable population.

On March 19, he closed dine-in food service, alcoholic beverage establishments, gyms, theaters and other businesses that he said posed enhanced health risks.

Bullock has issued directives which help hospitals financially survive and another that prohibits tenants from being evicted or from people losing utility service while his stay-at-home order is in place. The aid for hospitals and medical facilities comes from the Montana Facility Finance Authority Act for operating expenses connected to COVID-19.

He also issued a directive Monday that travelers arriving from another state or country to Montana for non-work-related purposes undergo a 14-day self-quarantine. And he asked tourists not to visit at this time. Seventy-three National Guard members have been activated to do temperature checks at Montana airports and rail stations and screen for potential exposure history for travelers. They began their duties on Friday.

Bullock issued directives Wednesday regarding child care so that Montana’s "essential workers" can receive access to child care during the state of emergency. It also requires precautions to protect children, families and child care workers. 

Bullock said Friday that Montana has a strong sense of community.

“I have no doubt it is stronger than ever before,” he said.  “Although we can’t actually join arms during this challenge we recognize that the sacrifices made apart right now will ensure that our state remains together in the future.”

He said all the steps Montanans take now and in the following weeks will make all the difference in managing through the health crisis.

The state website, covid19.mt.gov, also reported Friday there were 24 hospitalizations from the pandemic and five deaths. There were 6,057 tests that have been completed as of 4:30 p.m. Friday.

Gallatin County had the most confirmed cases of coronavirus with 93 and Yellowstone County had 36. Flathead had 18, Missoula had 17, Lewis and Clark has 13, Cascade County has 11, Toole County has 6, the state said. Carbon, Liberty, Hill, Meagher, Musselshell and Roosevelt have one.

Glacier County reported a confirmed case of the respiratory illness involving a woman in her 40s, according to the state website.

The Cascade County cases include two women in their 20s, one man in his 30s and another man in his 40s, two men and three women in their 50s, one man in his 60s and one man in his 80s, according to the state website. A woman in her 50s appears to be the most recent case.

COVID-19 has now been reported in 23 of Montana's 56 counties.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, the virus can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.

The state has set up a Coronavirus Task Force and a phone line at 1-888-333-0461 and Montanans can also email questions to covid19info@mt.gov. Other than COVID19.mt.gov, people can also go to www.dphhs.mt.gov for the most updated health information.

Reporter Phil Drake is our eye on the state capitol. For tips, suggestions or comment, he can be reached at 406-231-9021 or pdrake@greatfallstribune.com.