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Dillon businesses to remain open with recommendations to limit customers to avoid coronavirus spread

Posted at 6:53 PM, Mar 18, 2020
and last updated 2020-03-19 16:12:26-04

DILLON - Beaverhead County health officials decided not to close businesses in Dillon and throughout the county, but recommends they limit the number of customers in their locations to avoid potential exposure to the coronavirus.

“It’s not an easy discussion to say the least,” said Beaverhead Health Director Sue Hansen.

Because there have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Beaverhead County, health officials decided not to order mandatory closures, but that could change.

“I think possibly preemptive closures, we have to outline them, and maybe more closure down the road, but if we do that sooner perhaps we’d do better than the communities that waited longer,” said Dr. Megan Evans, the county health officer.

For now, officials recommend businesses limit customers to 10 at a time and keep at least six feet apart.

“The hospital simply can’t deal with everybody being sick at once, and if we spread this out they can’t deal with those that keep sick as we go,” said County Attorney Jed Fitch.

Beaverhead County health officials will reevaluate this situation after April 1, or they’ll do it before then if they get a confirmed case of the COVID-19 virus case in the county.

“And I think the sooner we are proactive the more lives we may save,” said Dillon resident Eileen Mary Shea.