GREAT FALLS — Governor Steve Bullock last week announced the state will move to phase two of the "Reopening The Big Sky" plan on Monday, June 1st, which will allow more activities to resume and enable people to gather in larger groups.
The Great Falls Transit District says that it will resume fixed route bus services that day. Regular bus service was suspended on March 17 due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Great Falls Transit says that with the resumption of bus service, passengers will be required to supply and wear a mask/facial covering while on board.
The agency also said that "passengers with a cough or fever are asked to NOT use our services and report to your medical provider for treatment." In addition, they said that June monthly passes will sold at half-price.
Jim Helgeson, general manager for Great Falls Transit, said they are ready to get back to work: "We have approximately thirty-five thousand rides a month, so there are thirty-five thousand trips that didn't get taken in the last couple of months. We have quite a few people who use the bus now that things are opening up and they have a place to go, and we are once again ready to take them there."
For more information or to learn about bus routes, visit the Great Falls Transit website, or call 727-0382.
Here are some of the other highlights of Phase Two:
- Avoid gatherings in groups of more than 50 people in circumstances that do not readily allow for appropriate physical distancing. Groups larger than 50 people should be cancelled unless physical distancing can be maintained. It is recommended to continue to social distance in gatherings of any size.
- Restaurants, bars, breweries, distilleries, and casinos remains in the same operations status as Phase One, but with an increase to 75% capacity.
- Gyms, indoor group fitness classes, pool, and hot tubs can operate at 75% capacity and only if they can adhere to strict physical distancing and they exercise frequent sanitation protocols.
- Concert halls, bowling alleys, and other places of assembly may operate with reduced capacity and if they adhere to strict physical distancing guidelines.
- All businesses are required to follow the social distancing and sanitation guidelines established in Phase One, and Montanans are strongly encouraged to continue sanitation practices, including hand washing and wearing masks in public places like grocery stores.
