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Current COVID-19 restrictions to continue in Missoula County

Posted at 8:22 AM, Jan 15, 2021
and last updated 2021-01-15 10:22:47-05

MISSOULA — The Missoula City-County Health Department and the Missoula Board of Health voted to adopt changes to the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine on Thursday.

However, Missoula County Health Officer Ellen Leahy says that the mask mandate and all other restrictions currently in place will remain in effect until further notice.

The Missoula Board of Health adopted then-Governor Steve Bullock's plan on the local level back in December.

Those restrictions -- including a 10 p.m. closing time for bars, restaurants, distilleries, and breweries and limiting group gathering sizes -- are still in place for Missoula County.

Following Gov. Greg Gianforte’s announcement this week that some changes are being instituted, the Missoula City-County Health Department is looking to adjust some of the current restrictions.

Leahy says officials will consider the current epidemiological report and statewide changes next week.

"At this point, I can tell you that the department is working on at least one proposed revision and we're still working with the affected parties and with the County Attorney’s office,” Leahy said.

“We of course did not get any advance notice of the governor’s changes, and so just like everyone, we are trying to understand those changes, look at our own rules -- look at the things I just mentioned. And the staff expects to propose at least one revision,” Leahy added.

Businesses in Missoula County are still expected to close at 10 p.m. and the statewide mask mandate is also still in place.

The Missoula Board of Health will reconvene on Thursday, Jan. 21 at 12:15 p.m.